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Minutes Public Pack, 10/09/2025 Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Committee report · Overview and Scrutiny Committee · Wed 10 Dec 2025 · Hastings Borough Council · agenda item 3

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The Head of Housing described how the housing allocations scheme places applicants into bands and reported that local connection criteria for the scheme will be tightened. p16

A performance monitoring report for Quarter 1, April to June 2025, and a financial monitoring report for the period to June 2025 were presented to the committee. p36p50

The financial report stated that an overspend was forecast, mainly in housing, and that this was largely covered by reserves. p51

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  • p16Housing Allocations Scheme Chris Hancock, Head of Housing, explained that the housing allocations scheme is not a traditional council waiting list. Instead, applicants are placed into bands and bid for properties. Most allocations go to people in Band A, who are often direct matches. When properties become available, all interested parties are assessed based on their band and waiting time. While average waiting times are useful, the longest waits may provide a better picture. Significant movement has been seen recently due to new properties in the area, and improvements in waiting times are directly linked to supply. Upcoming changes to the scheme will tighten local connection criteria to prioritize local residents and adjust bedroom sharing rules based on children’s ages. Affected applicants will be contacted to explain how they are impacted. Councillor Jobson asked how many disabled people are waiting for accessible homes. Chris Hancock responded that this information would need to be circulated later, broken down by property type and mobility needs. Jobson also raised the issue of aging community bands, asking about people over 50. Hancock confirmed that those over 55 can apply for sheltered housing, where waiting times are lower. Councillor Smith asked whether the council refers people to organisations such as Home Share, which matches older residents with spare rooms to younger people. Chris Hancock said he would appreciate a contact and would research the organisation. Councillor Webb questioned how the council would handle applicants who no longer meet eligibility criteria under the tightened rules. Hancock explained that affected applicants would receive a letter and a phone call outlining the reasons for the change. Those in temporary accommodation would not be affected. Councillor Jobson asked about priority for residents at Four Courts. Hancock explained that Southern Housing is managing the decant process, which is outside the council’s scheme.
  • p366. PERFORMANCE MONITORING Sam Phyall, Senior Programmes Manager that provides a summary of performance for Quarter 1 (April to June 2025).
  • p507. FINANCIAL MONITORING Kit Wheeler, Chief Finance Officer introduced the report that provides a summary of the financial outturn position for services at the end of Period (June 2025).
  • p51The finance report presented covered the period up to the end of June and noted plans to combine reports into a single document, as discussed at Cabinet. At this stage of the year, an overspend was forecast, primarily in Housing, and this was significantly higher than expected. Much of the overspend has been covered by reserves. The report format will be revised to make information clearer, including

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