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To approve an updated version of Arun District
Council’s Temporary Decant Policy for Social Housing Tenants,
incorporating new provisions to allow for longer-term decants and
more settled temporary accommodation solutions where
required.

Reasons for the decision

The policy has been updated following a recent
fire affecting three Council-owned properties, which required the
emergency decant of residents into nightly paid accommodation. The
previous version of the policy did not include sufficient guidance
or provision for longer-term decants or for moving residents into
more settled temporary accommodation while repair works are
completed. The updated policy ensures a clear, fair, and legally
sound framework for managing both short- and longer-term decants in
exceptional circumstances, improving outcomes for residents and
supporting effective service delivery.

Alternative options considered

Continue operating under the previous policy
– rejected due to inadequate provision for longer-term
decants, leading to increased service pressure, higher costs, and
negative resident impact.

Use case-by-case discretion without a formal policy change –
rejected due to lack of transparency, inconsistency, and potential
legal risk.