Decision details

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services informed Cabinet of the proposal to establish a Social Letting Agency to manage private rented properties on behalf of private landlords and ensure suitable housing allocations to clients in housing need.

The Director spoke of the growing pressures placed on homelessness services, which had arisen from the pandemic and advised that during the period March to June 2020, the service saw a 76% increase in homelessness applications. The Director continued be explaining that the level of demand had highlighted that the social rented sector alone cannot meet the demands of the clients and that there was a need to work together with the private rented sector.

Members were informed that the Council had secured Welsh Government funding to set up the Agency for the current financial year and advised that there was potential for ongoing financial liability for the operation of the Agency.

The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being & Cultural Services commented that the service was innovative and necessary to meet the Council’s wider Homelessness Strategy. The Cabinet Member acknowledged the financial implications, but felt that the proposals met the Council’s ambition to move away from bed and breakfast accommodation and was positive that the proposals would strengthen the Council’s links with the Private Landlord Sector.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the report on behalf of herself and the Elected Member for the Treforest ward and commented that the proposals provide sustainability and stability for the high number of private rented sector properties in the ward. The Deputy Leader emphasised the importance of marketing the scheme and encouraging landlords to join.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note the Business case set out in Appendix 1 of the report and endorse the establishment of the Social Letting Agency for RCTCBC using Welsh Government grant funding secured for this purpose in 2020/21; and

2.    To note the costs associated with operating a Social Letting Agency and note that funding.