Agenda item

Report of the Executive Directors of Resources and Governance

The Cabinet Member with the Health and Housing Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Resources and Governance to approve the Housing Tenancy Policy 2025-2030.

The report explained that the Housing Tenancy Policy 2025-2030 sets out the type of tenancies it offers and aims to help those in housing need access a home that meet their needs, helps to build sustainable and healthy communities and to help make decisions about who lives where and in what type of tenancy and for how long.

It also stated that the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) Consumer Standards state that Registered Providers of social housing must “offer tenancies or terms of occupation which are compatible with the purpose of the accommodation, the needs of individual households, the sustainability of the community, and the efficient use of their housing stock”.

It was reported that the Tenants Panel had been consulted on the draft policy, they gave their full support apart from the issue of tenancies for new build properties which was set out in paragraph 12 of the report. The strategy was considered by the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee on the 29^{th of} October 2025, and the Committee agreed the onwards submission to Cabinet.

RESOLVED - It is recommended that Cabinet: -

(a)    Consider the contents of this report

(b)   Approve the Housing Services Tenancy Policy 2025-2030

REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons:

a)      The Housing Services Tenancy Policy 2025-2030 ensures that tenants are provided with the right tenancy for their circumstances and that the Council makes the best use of its Council housing stock.

b)      The RSH, in its Tenancy Standard, sets out that registered providers of social housing must publish clear and accessible policies, which outline the types of tenancies they will grant, the circumstances in which they will grant tenancies of a particular type and the circumstances in which fixed term tenancies will be granted.