Content

To remove the existing Local Lettings Plans at
Waterloo Street (17 homes)

Reasons for the decision

Following an
internal review of live Local Lettings Plans across the Borough
with officers, and based on a range of evidence, it has been
decided to remove the Local Lettings Plan at Waterloo Street to
enable the Council to let these properties to local households in
the greatest housing need via Homeseekerplus without
restriction.

The Local Lettings Plan was previously established to help disrupt
and tackle a growing organized criminal gang (OCG) presence in the
Waterloo Street locality. Evidence provided by the Council’s
officers and our key partners indicates that these efforts,
alongside close partnership working with key partners, has had a
positive impact on community cohesion and resilience in this area.
As such, officers have collectively agreed that this Local Lettings
Plan is no longer required.

This decision will allow the Council to make the best use of our
existing stock and meet housing needs within the Borough, in line
with our
2023-2028 Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and
updated
2025-2028 Corporate Plan. Officers will have the ability to
re-apply a Local Lettings Plan (following a successful Officer
Decision) if ASB, lettings and community cohesion evidence and/or
anecdotal evidence indicates that a Local Lettings Plan is required
for Waterloo Street in view of OCG activity, or any other form of
ASB.

Alternative options considered

Officers considered the value of keeping this
Local Lettings Plans in place, however, following an internal
review by officers, and in light of the lack of evidence supporting
any decision to keep this Local Lettings Plans in place following
intensive partnership working with key partners to disrupt the OCG
presence in this community, officers concluded that lifting the
Waterloo Street Local Lettings Plan was the most appropriate course
of action to help meet the significant level of housing need on the
Council’s housing register and make best use of the
Council’s stock. .