Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

For Executive to consider the contents of the City of Lincoln Council’s Tenancy Strategy and approve its publication.

Decision

That publication of City of Lincoln Councils Tenancy Strategy be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Revised Tenancy Strategy not introduced.

The Central Lincolnshire Tenancy Strategy was no longer updated centrally and therefore should not be relied upon. Failure to introduce a revised strategy could result in City of Lincoln Council (CoLC) not meeting all the terms of the Localism Act 2011.

Reasons for the Decision

The Localism Act 2011 introduced a number of changes for social housing, including the requirement for local authorities to produce and publish a Tenancy Strategy for their area.

The main purpose of a Tenancy Strategy was to make best use of existing housing stock with mechanisms such as flexible tenancies, succession rights and affordable rented tenures.

The strategy set out City of Lincoln Council’s preferred approach to managing existing registered providers housing stock. The legislation clearly stated that Registered Providers should “have regard” to the Local Authority Strategies when developing their own Tenancy Policies. The Strategy had no statutory weight but could help to guide Registered Providers to achieve a consistent approach across the sector to ensure best use of housing tenures.

The Tenancy Strategy specified the different registered providers operating within the City and the types of tenures which were being used by housing tenants. The strategy provided a framework of which tenancies Registered Providers would grant and the exceptions to granting, for example a licence to occupy.

The strategy ensured that Registered Providers were issuing tenancies compatible with the purpose of the accommodation provided, considering the housing needs of individuals and households, sustainability of the community and making best use of housing stock.