The Health and Housing Committee of Ribble Valley Borough Council met on 28 August 2025, and approved amendments to the Housing Allocation Policy, approved the Homeless Strategy 2025-2028, and approved the Food Service Plan 2025. The committee also received updates on capital and revenue monitoring, cemetery safety inspections, and corporate plan performance.

Housing Allocation Policy Amendments

The committee approved amendments to the Housing Allocation Policy, aiming to prioritise Ribble Valley residents. The report on Proposed Amendments to Housing Allocation Policy sought to clarify the definition of local connection through residency, giving priority to those who have lived in the borough for a significant period.

Key changes to the policy include:

• Priority points for current residents based on length of residency:
  • 10 years or more
  • 5 to 10 years
  • Minimum of 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years
• 5 'work/support' points for those employed in the borough for a minimum of 12 months, working at least 18 hours per week, or those with next of kin who have lived in the borough for at least five years.
• Exemptions to the residency rule for certain applicants, including:
  • Statutory homeless applicants
  • Victims of domestic abuse
  • Those in a 'reasonable preference category' under section 166A of the Housing Act 1996[^2] [^2]: Section 166A of the Housing Act 1996 outlines the categories of people who should be given reasonable preference in local authorities' allocation schemes, including those who are homeless, living in unsanitary conditions, or need to move for medical or welfare reasons.
  • Those looked after or fostered by Lancashire
  • Those accommodated under Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999[^3] [^3]: Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 pertains to the support provided to asylum seekers while their claims are being processed.
  • Serving or former members of the UK Armed Forces

The updated Allocation Policy includes a points system to assess housing need, with residency points acting as a gateway for additional priority.

Homelessness Strategy 2025-2028

The committee approved the Homeless Strategy 2025-2028 and the allocation of Homeless Prevention Grant monies. The strategy sets out four strategic aims:

• Improve advice, information, and support
• Prevent homelessness
• Improve temporary accommodation
• Increase affordable housing options

As part of the strategy, the committee approved the use of Homeless Prevention Grant funding for the following initiatives:

1. Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Budget Top-Up: An additional £20,000 to support households at risk of homelessness who are already receiving Housing Benefit[^4]. [^4]: Housing Benefit is a UK government benefit that helps people with low incomes pay their rent.
2. Improved Paper Bond Scheme: The Tenancy Protection Scheme Plus will offer landlords a paper bond equivalent to a month's rent +30% for households owed a full housing duty moving into private rented accommodation. A maximum of £10,000 will be committed to the trial scheme, with a monitoring report due before the end of the financial year.
3. Rent Support in Temporary Accommodation: Providing financial assistance to working households in temporary accommodation, particularly at Joiner's 90 Whalley Rd, to ensure rent is affordable. Support would be capped to match the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rate.

Food Service Plan 2025

The committee approved the Food Service Plan 2025, which details how the council ensures food safety within the borough. The plan outlines the Environmental Health team's structure, the profile of food businesses in Ribble Valley, enforcement actions, service delivery, risk ratings, and the estimated cost of running the food service. The plan aims to ensure that food produced, transported, stored, marketed, or consumed in Ribble Valley is safe to eat.

Capital Monitoring 2025/26

The committee reviewed the Capital Monitoring 2025/26 report, which covered progress on the capital programme up to the end of July 2025. The report noted a total approved budget of £4,021,160 across nine schemes, with £617,609 spent or committed by the end of July 2025.

Key schemes include:

• Affordable Housing - Longridge
• Clitheroe Cemetery Drainage Scheme
• Disabled Facilities Grants
• Assisted Purchase Scheme
• Further Clitheroe Market Improvements
• First Time Buyers Grant
• Landlord & Tennant Grants
• Purchase of Affordable Housing
• Temporary Housing Scheme

Revenue Monitoring 2025/26

The committee reviewed the Revenue Monitoring 2025/26 report, which provided an overview of the council's revenue budget as of the end of July 2025. The report indicated an underspend of £226,711 on the net cost of services, and an underspend of £238,019 after accounting for transfers to and from earmarked reserves.

Assessment of Memorials in Cemeteries

The committee was informed about the ongoing assessment of memorials in council-managed cemeteries, as detailed in the Assessment of Memorials in Cemeteries - Information report. This assessment aims to identify and address any safety risks posed by unstable or dangerous headstones, following a tragic incident in Rawtenstall Cemetery¹. The council is responsible for managing several cemeteries, including Waddington Road Cemetery, St Mary's Parish church, St James's church, St Mary's church Gisburn and St Bartholomew's church.

Corporate Plan Year-End Performance 2024/25

The committee received the 2024/2025 Corporate Plan Year-End Performance report. The report provided an overview of the council's performance against its agreed priorities, with a focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the committee.

Of the 28 KPIs reported:

• 14% were rated green, indicating that targets were met or exceeded.
• 7% were rated amber, indicating that performance was close to target.
• 11% were rated red, indicating that performance was below target.
• 14% were Perception Survey KPIs, with no current data available.
• 54% were data-only KPIs, with no set targets.

The report highlighted performance in Cultural and Leisure Services, Environmental Health, and Regeneration and Housing.