Agenda item

 (Copy herewith)

1)    Cabinet noted the findings of Northampton Partnership Homes’ review of the Council’s older persons’ housing (as set out in its Older Persons’ Housing Strategy in appendices 1 and 2 of the report);

2)    Cabinet approved the rebranding of the Council’s sheltered housing as ‘older persons’ housing’ and authorised changes to the housing allocations policy (as set out in paragraphs 3.2.5 – 3.2.7 of the report) in order to define these properties as being suitable for people aged 55 or over and determine the circumstances in which they may be let to people with disabilities who are under the age of 55 years;

3)    Cabinet approved the reclassification of its ‘general needs’ bungalows to ‘older persons’ housing’ when they become vacant and are assessed as suitable for older people, in order that all future lettings are made to people who are either aged 55 years or over or have a disability, required accessible housing and are under the age of 55 years;

4)    Cabinet approved, in principle, the reclassification (to ‘general needs housing’) or up to 600 flats and bungalows that are currently designated as ‘sheltered housing’ but are assessed as being unsuitable for older people, and authorised Northampton Partnership Homes to consult with the affected residents, in three phases, in order to establish their housing preferences and their current and future needs, and to recommend to the Council which schemes should be reclassified and when;

5)    Cabinet delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the cabinet Member for Housing & Wellbeing and the Section 151 Officer, the authority to approve the reclassification of the older persons’ housing schemes to ‘general needs housing’ after Northampton Partnership Homes has consulted with the affected residents and following consideration of Northampton Partnership Homes’ recommendations; and

6)    Cabinet noted that it would receive further reports on the implementation of Northampton Partnership Homes’ Older Persons’ Strategy and the Council’s development of a Multi-Agency Older Persons’ Housing Strategy that takes into account the views of a wider range of stakeholders, including registered providers, private sector developers and housing providers, health and social care and the voluntary and community sector.

Councillor Beardsworth praised the report stating this area needed a complete overhaul.  People’s needs had changed in the past 20-30 years with many leading a more active life.  There was still a need for more bungalows, perhaps in clusters and open spaces.

Councillor Ashraf stated she considered this to be a sensible way forward.   Many people required sheltered housing and she would welcome any answers NPH might have to address any issues that arose from this strategy.  She hoped that stock was not sold off under the right to buy scheme because this type of accommodation was desperately needed.

In submitting the report Councillor Hibbert thanked representatives from all parties for their support.  It had begun some time ago with key objectives of enabling older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, improving the quality of older person’s housing to enable people to live happy and healthy lives in an enriched community, offer housing choices to meet the needs of current and future generations of older people and to ensure that specialist housing and support was targeted to those most in need.  All Councils generally required bungalows and many would be re-classified as sheltered housing as well as possibly up to 600 flats.  A new standard for designated sheltered housing was also included in the report.

Councillor Markham thanked officers at NBC and NPH noting that whilst the report had taken some time, this was required in order to ensure the best possible options.  She noted residents and tenants had also been involved in it.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the findings of Northampton Partnership Homes’ review of the Council’s older persons’ housing (as set out in its Older Persons’ Housing Strategy in appendices 1 and 2 of the report) be noted;

2)    That the rebranding of the Council’s sheltered housing as ‘older persons’ housing’  be approved and authorised changes to the housing allocations policy (as set out in paragraphs 3.2.5 – 3.2.7 of the report) in order to define these properties as being suitable for people aged 55 or over and determine the circumstances in which they may be let to people with disabilities who are under the age of 55 years;

3)    That the reclassification of its ‘general needs’ bungalows to ‘older persons’ housing’ when they become vacant and are assessed as suitable for older people, in order that all future lettings are made to people who are either aged 55 years or over or have a disability, required accessible housing and are under the age of 55 years be approve.

4)    That the reclassification (to ‘general needs housing’) or up to 600 flats and bungalows that are currently designated as ‘sheltered housing’ but are assessed as being unsuitable for older people, be approved in principal, and authorised Northampton Partnership Homes to consult with the affected residents, in three phases, in order to establish their housing preferences and their current and future needs, and to recommend to the Council which schemes should be reclassified and when;

5)    That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the cabinet Member for Housing & Wellbeing and the Section 151 Officer, to approve the reclassification of the older persons’ housing schemes to ‘general needs housing’ after Northampton Partnership Homes has consulted with the affected residents and following consideration of Northampton Partnership Homes’ recommendations; and

6)    That it be noted that Cabinet would receive further reports on the implementation of Northampton Partnership Homes’ Older Persons’ Strategy and the Council’s development of a Multi-Agency Older Persons’ Housing Strategy that takes into account the views of a wider range of stakeholders, including registered providers, private sector developers and housing providers, health and social care and the voluntary and community sector.