Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing which provided details of Liverpool City Region (Tenancy Strategy 2016, which if approved would replace Sefton’s existing Tenancy Strategy which was approved by Cabinet on 13 December 2012.

Decision Made: That

(1)       the Liverpool City Region Tenancy Strategy 2016, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved for publication, and it noted that it would replace the existing Sefton Tenancy Strategy;

(2)       the Cabinet Member - Communities and Housing be granted delegated authority to authorise further amendments potentially required to the Strategy as a result of the approval processes set out in Resolution (4) below, and any future amendments that may be required;

(3)       it be noted that the Liverpool City Region Tenancy Strategy 2016 had been developed in accordance with each individual Local Authorities’ housing needs; and

(4)       it be noted that a report will be taken to the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority for endorsement, and that each individual LCR constituent authority included in the strategy would seek approval through their individual formal decision making processes prior to the publication of the finalised strategy in December 2016.

Reasons for Decision:

Sefton’s Tenancy Strategy was approved by Cabinet on 13 December 2012. This strategy was introduced under Section 150 of the Localism Act 2011, which placed a statutory duty on Local Authorities to prepare, consult upon and publish a tenancy strategy. The 2012 strategy should be “reviewed every 3 years or sooner than this if there is any significant national or local policy change that may impact on this strategy.” With the current legislative and policy changes brought about through the Housing and Planning Act 2016, alongside the LCR devolution agenda, it is was now an appropriate juncture to update Sefton’s existing Tenancy Strategy.

As the Tenancy Strategy seeks to influence Registered Housing Providers own approaches to tenancy management, and most Registered Providers operate across the Liverpool City Region Council areas, a common strategy was seen as the most advantageous approach.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council could consider a ‘Sefton only’ strategy.