The Head of Housing Services has submitted a report to seek approval for a scheme which involves exercising the Duty to Cooperate under the Localism Act 2011 with Cherwell District Council to meet Oxfordshire’s unmet housing need and to provide an update on the wider Oxfordshire agreements with West Oxfordshire District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve exercising the duty to cooperate under the Localism Act 2011 with Cherwell District Council and other neighbouring district councils to meet Oxfordshire’s housing need;

2.    Agree in principle to accept a delegation from Cherwell District Council using section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 to perform its statutory housing functions in respect of properties identified in order to meet Oxford’s unmet demand; 

3.    Note the agreed approach with West Oxfordshire District Council;

4.    Note the agreed approach with South Oxfordshire District Council; and

5.    Note the agreed approach with Vale of White Horse District Council

The Head of Housing Services had submitted a report to seek approval for a scheme which involves exercising the Duty to Cooperate under the Localism Act 2011 with Cherwell District Council to meet Oxfordshire’s unmet housing need and to provide an update on the wider Oxfordshire agreements with West Oxfordshire District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council.

Cllr Blackings, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, Housing Security and Housing the Homeless, introduced the report which, at its heart, sought to secure a more co-ordinated and joined up approach to meeting Oxfordshire’s unmet housing need. There was a need to work as closely with surrounding Councils as possible. She was grateful to the work of officers in bringing this proposal forward.

It was important that it should be made as easy as possible for residents of Oxford to register on housing lists  notwithstanding the absence, at the moment, of one common County-wide scheme. Deb Wyatt, Affordable Housing Supply Senior Programme Officer, said that a joint communications plan was being prepared with West Oxfordshire District Council and South & Vale District Council the outcome of which would be shared with those on the City’s housing register. A mechanism for monitoring the  effectiveness of the new arrangements for residents was  being developed which would inform the need for subsequent modifications.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.Approve exercising the duty to cooperate under the Localism Act 2011 with Cherwell District Council and other neighbouring district councils to meet Oxfordshire’s housing need;

2.Agree in principle to accept a delegation from Cherwell District Council using section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 to perform its statutory housing functions in respect of properties identified in order to meet Oxford’s unmet demand; 

3.Note the agreed approach with West Oxfordshire District Council;

4.Note the agreed approach with South Oxfordshire District Council; and

5.Note the agreed approach with Vale of White Horse District Council