Purpose

To seek approval for the adoption of the Tameside Common Housing Allocation Scheme (2026), establishing a single, clear, and legally compliant framework for the allocation of social rented housing across Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and participating Registered Providers (RPs).

Tameside Council has a statutory duty to operate an allocation scheme for social rented housing. RPs also have legal duties to publish and follow rules for prioritising applicants.

Independent review commissioned by the Council (2024) recommended establishing a Common Housing Allocation Scheme jointly with registered providers that own social housing stock in Tameside to improve fairness, efficiency and compliance with public law.

It report set out that Tameside was currently the only local authority in Greater Manchester not operating a common housing allocation scheme.  The Council’s allocation policy was over a decade old (2012, revised 2016) and did not use choice-based lettings and that 96.2% of social rented stock in Tameside is owned by 10 RPs.

Decision

RESOLVED

(i)     That approval be given in principle to the establishment of a Common Housing Allocation Scheme for the council, and the draft Scheme attached at Appendix 1, subject to the outcome of a 12-week statutory consultation.

(ii)  That approval be given to the commencement of a 12-week statutory consultation on the draft Common Housing Allocation Scheme in accordance with the Council's obligations under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 and public law consultation requirements.

(iii) To Approve subject to the outcome of the statutory consultation, the development and implementation of:

a) A common housing waiting list

b) A common allocation policy

c) A borough-wide Choice-Based Lettings system

d) A common accessible housing register

e) The governance arrangements set out in the report

(iv) That it be noted that a further report will be submitted to Executive Cabinet following completion of the statutory consultation setting out the consultation findings, any proposed amendments to the draft Common Housing Allocation Scheme and seeking approval for the adoption and implementation of the final Scheme.

(v)   To Approve the procurement of a new Choice Based Lettings (CBL) system to replace the Council’s existing arrangements and support the delivery of housing register and allocation services.

(vi) To Approve the commencement of a formal procurement process in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and relevant procurement legislation.

(vii)                       To Approve the principle of cost-sharing arrangements with Registered Providers, with contributions based on the proportion of social housing stock held within the borough.

(viii)                     That Delegates authority be given to the Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates, in consultation with the Executive Member, Cllr Roderick, the Strategic Director of Finance and the Director of Legal & Democratic Services, to:

•         Finalise procurement documentation

•         Conduct the procurement exercise via Star Procurement

•         Evaluate submissions against the approved criteria

•         Finalise partnership agreements with Registered Providers;

•         Progress the implementation programme and governance arrangements

•         Award and enter into the resulting contract

(ix) To Approve a contract term of up to three years, with provision for extension where appropriate, subject to contract performance requirements. and ongoing service. The soft market testing identified supplier contract terms that support an initial term of up to three years with an optional extension period.

(x)   To authorise officers to:

a)     Undertake commencement of the required 12 week statutory consultation on the proposed draft Common Housing Allocation Scheme at Appendix 1 and to delegate authority to the Executive Member for Housing and Homelessness, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates, to consider consultation responses and approve any necessary amendments to the final Scheme prior to implementation.

b)    Formalise partnership Registered Providers.

c)      Progress implementation arrangements and with governance arrangements as set out above and in the report.

Alternative options considered

•         Do Nothing: Rejected due to continued inequity, inefficiency, and lack of transparency.

•         Maintain Separate Systems: Rejected due to duplication, inconsistency, and lack of oversight.