Agenda item

To consider the call-in of the Executive decision of 15 September 2026 in relation to Housing Allocations Scheme Review.

The committee considered the scrutiny call-in of the executive decision of 15 September 2026 concerning the Housing Allocations Scheme Review.

The committee first heard from Councillor Stephanie Cryan, who outlined the grounds for the call-in. The concerns raised included:

• Consultation on increasing the age at which same-sex siblings are expected to share a bedroom from 16 to 21.
• The response rate to the consultation.
• Potential impacts on residents with disabilities, particularly those with learning disabilities.
• The Equalities Impact Assessment.
• Digital exclusion and the accessibility of the proposed choice-based lettings arrangements.
• Clarification regarding bidding arrangements for residents in Band D.

The committee then heard from Councillor Reginald Popoola, Executive Member for Council Homes, supported by officers from Housing Needs and Housing Solutions; Hakeem Osinaike, Strategic Director of Housing, Daniel Ferlance, Assistant Director for Housing Needs, Ricky Bellot, Housing Choice and Supply Manager and Candida Thompson, Director of Housing Needs and Support.

The committee was informed that:

• The current allocations scheme dated from 2014 and required updating due to legislative, regulatory and policy changes.
• The Regulator of Social Housing had identified the absence of an updated allocations policy as a concern.
• The consultation received over 1,000 responses and was undertaken over a 12-week period.
• Extensive engagement had been undertaken with residents, forums and organisations.
• The revised scheme retained priority provisions for residents with disabilities and learning disabilities.
• New measures had been introduced to support digitally excluded residents, including auto-bidding and expanded in-person support services.
• The new scheme would be reviewed after twelve months to assess impacts and outcomes.

The committee then asked questions on the following themes:

• Same-sex siblings and bedroom entitlement.
• Equality impacts on Black and minority ethnic communities.
• Numbers of households affected by the revised bedroom standards.
• Urgency of policy implementation.
• Digital exclusion and support arrangements.
• Consultation timescales and engagement.
• Review arrangements and monitoring of outcomes.

The committee heard that 128 households would have their banding reduced as a result of the revised bedroom standard and that the majority affected required four-bedroom or larger homes. Officers advised that only a very limited number of such properties became available annually and that the revised arrangements should make better use of the council’s housing stock.

The committee heard that the allocations scheme would be formally reviewed after twelve months and that a progress report would also be provided to the committee. Officers advised that operational monitoring would take place throughout implementation and that adjustments could be considered if adverse impacts were identified.

Officers agreed to provide members with the data and modelling information used during development of the allocations scheme, including information relating to affected households and bedroom entitlement modelling.

The committee discussed the options available following consideration of the call-in. Members expressed differing views on whether the decision should be referred back to the executive or implemented with further scrutiny and reporting arrangements.

The Committee decided to ‘Not refer the matter back to the Executive but to undertake a subsequent scrutiny review.’

RESOLVED:

That the matter not be referred back to the Executive for reconsideration, but a subsequent review be undertaken. The Subsequent Review to be an Early Implementation Report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Housing Allocations Scheme Review at six months.