Purpose
To ensure the views of OCC tenants (and future tenants) are listened to and taken into account as part of a wider public consultation with other residents/key stakeholders, including Registered Providers of social housing, on the revised Allocations Scheme by:
- facilitating and supporting resident engagement activities with an Allocations Scheme Review Group (ASRG) of Council Tenants on the proposals
- engaging with homeless households in Temporary Accommodation and obtain feedback on the proposed changes for prospective new tenants
Context
The Council is transforming the work of its housing services in response to new Consumer Standards from the Regulator for Social Housing. These standards require landlords to deliver safe, well-maintained homes and to listen and act on the voices of our tenants. Including the ability to comment and influence any changes proposed to housing policies, including the Allocations Scheme, used to provide services to tenants (and other residents).
The Allocations Scheme is the Housing Policy the Council uses to help and prioritise:
- existing Council Tenants seeking to move to another home owned by the Council or Housing Association.
- new housing applicants applying for their first social housing tenancy – including homeless households owed a homeless duty by the Council in Temporary Accommodation
The Allocations Scheme aims to:
- balance the competing priorities of re-housing the large number of existing Council tenants and housing new applicants in housing need.
- make the best use of low amount of existing and new social housing becoming available owned by the Council (and most Housing Associations in Oxford).
- ensure the housing needs of housing applicants and their families are assessed fairly and consistently using the rules in the policy.
- offer social housing to tenants and other housing applicants in the highest housing need in a home of their choice where possible
- comply with legislation, guidance and best practice
- support the Council’s key priorities to towards:
- all residents in Oxford as Local Authority
- all Council tenants as a Social Landlord
- to provide Good, Affordable Homes in line with the Council’s Strategy
An internal review of the Allocations Scheme has been completed taking into account changes in legislation, guidance and best practice. While the Allocations Scheme is largely considered to meet the legislative, regulatory and local requirements, several improvements have been identified to help better meet current challenges, improve operational efficiency and service delivery to residents.
Oxford City Council is engaging with tenants, other residents and key stakeholders to obtain their views on the proposed new Allocations Scheme as it has been a number of years since any major changes have been made.
The feedback from the ASRG and homeless households, form part of this transformation in housing services, helping to ensure the Council’s approach to delivering services to tenants and other residents (including future tenants) is considered in the revised Allocations scheme.
Objectives
The Group's objectives are:
- to provide a greater understanding of the key requirements of the Council’s Allocations Scheme (including what the Council is required to do by law).
- to provide the opportunity for resident-led feedback and recommendations, for staff to consider and respond to, regarding the proposals of the Allocations Scheme review on:
- the keys areas that are proposed to remain unchanged
- the key areas where changes are proposed
- to take into account the comments and feedback received, along with the response to wider consultation with residents and key stakeholders in the drafting of the final version of the new Allocations Scheme which will be reported on to the Cabinet/Council with recommendations to approve
- evidence of strategy and policy co-creation between tenants and OCC staff
- more confident and skilled potential group members who understand the Allocation Scheme and how OCC works and who can continue their involvement and influence journey
Membership
Approx 10 tenants, including those who were in the Tenancy Strategy Review Group with an interest in participating in a review of the Allocations Scheme.
Members are encouraged to attend all sessions and contribute, in line with the code of conduct which will be shared with the terms of reference as part of the reading pack and initial invitation offer.
Oxford City Council Staff involved in the ASRG
- Tom Porter: Senior Strategy and Service Development Officer
- Wendy Hind: Resident Involvement Officer
Session Format
The ASRG will be facilitated by a Resident Involvement Officer across 2/3 online sessions. Our Senior Strategy and Service Development Officer (Project Sponsor) will provide expert input and be available to respond to queries and questions to support tenants through the process.
Sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams:
- Session 1: 4 to 5pm Tuesday 9 December 2025
- Session 2: 6 to 7.30pm Tuesday 16 December 2025
ASRG members will receive any reading materials prior to Session 1, with the Resident Involvement Team on hand to offer support and guidance as required.
Influence and sign-off
Meetings will be recorded, minutes take and residents’ recommendations logged.
A written ASRG summary report presenting the outcomes of the groups’ work will be shared with:
- the ASRG group members as a conclusion alongside the recommendation, action and evidence tracker which should be completed maximum 1 month after the last meeting. This will be either via email or further meetings with the group, to close the communication loop.
- the report will be shared online for transparency and accountability.
- the project sponsor will take the report for consideration and feedback through to OCC Cabinet approval.
