To propose the adoption of the Allocations Policy, which has been developed to meet local needs and priorities.

1.      That the Central Bedfordshire Housing Allocations Policy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted as the Allocation Scheme for social housing in Central Bedfordshire.

2.      To authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing to:

2.1    allocate social housing in accordance with the Housing Allocations Policy, at such time as the Policy can be implemented successfully;

2.2    amend or vary the detailed wording of the Housing Allocations Policy, where to do so does not change the strategic intent or overarching aims of the policy, so as to ensure the Policy is and remains effective in operational terms, to achieve the Policy objectives;

2.3    consult for four weeks on the specific proposal that Older People should have priority for a home in close proximity to where they live, to then decide either to retain, modify or remove this specific policy, having taken into account the views of the stakeholders and the public;

2.4    develop and implement on an annual basis, a Lettings Plan that is aligned to the aims and intent of the Housing Allocations Policy; and

2.5    develop and implement monitoring arrangements to ensure that the aims of the Policy are achieved and to support the Council’s duty to promote Equality, in line with the mitigations set out in the Equalities Impact Assessment.