Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Cabinet Member was invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests she might have in the business on the agenda. No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2012.

RESOLVED:       That the minutes of the last Decision Session of the Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Services held on 24 January 2012, be approved and signed by the Cabinet Member as a correct record.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

The government are consulting on proposals to reduce the prevalence of Fraud within the stock of social housing. The report provides a response to the government’s proposals and invites the Cabinet Member to endorse and comment on these proposals

RESOLVED:             That the detailed response, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

REASON:                  To allow officers to submit a response to the government’s consultation document.

The Cabinet Member considered a report informing her that the government were consulting on proposals to reduce the prevalence of fraud within the stock of social housing. The report asked her to consider, comment on and then endorse a suggested response to the government’s proposals.

The Cabinet Member expressed concerns that some people may become victims of the situation by illegally subletting unknowingly and agreed that it was important to be able to offer them support to help them secure privately rented accommodation. She stressed the importance of people coming forward to report any examples of fraud and noted that there would be an opportunity for publicity when government legislation came into force, and that any cases which lead to a criminal conviction would lead to publicity.

RESOLVED:       That the detailed response, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

REASON:            To allow officers to submit a response to the government’s consultation document.

The government are consulting on a proposals in respect of statutory guidance to local authorities on the allocation of social housing and proposed regulations designed to improve access to social housing for former and serving armed forces personnel. The report provides a response to the government’s proposals and invites the cabinet member to endorse and comment on these proposals.

RESOVED:               That option 1 be approved and the suggested response, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

REASON:                  To ensure that City of York Council’s views are included within the consultation response to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

The Cabinet Member considered a report informing her that the government was consulting on proposals in respect of statutory guidance to local authorities on the allocation of social housing and proposed regulations designed to improve access to social housing for former and serving armed forces personnel. The Cabinet Member was asked to comment on and endorse the proposed response to the government’s proposals.

The Cabinet Member acknowledged that differing views had been expressed with regard to whether additional preference should be given to HM Services personnel, however it was generally agreed that the policy should be based solely on need and therefore HM Forces personnel should not be treated any differently from other people in housing need.

RESOVED:         That option 1 be approved and the suggested response, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed.

REASON:            To ensure that City of York Council’s views are included within the consultation response to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).