Mrs Patricia Smith put the following questions to the Leader of the Council:

What Equality Act, Autism Act and Care Act training, and autism/disability/hidden disability/mental health/disability and carer issues training has the Council undertaken?

Will the council please pass a motion in support of #BackTo60 – 1950s born women who have had their state pensions taken away for six years, no notice, and left to pay additional NI contributions for the full new state pension, also with no notice, leaving them and their families in dire straits, losing their homes etc?

Cllr Hossack thanked Mrs Smith for her two questions.

In relation to the first question Cllr Hossack informed her that in terms of the Housing Advice and Homeless Prevention Officers they have received no specific training on autism. The Officers are trained in relation to the Equality Act and relevant legislation which includes:

•           In-house Training – Including case law updates and peer-to-peer sessions

•           Shelter Training (which includes Homelessness, Housing Law and Temporary Accommodation and the Law). These courses include face-to-face training on the Equality Act, including disability-related matters and the public sector equality duty. Information on courses is obtainable directly from Shelter and is available online.

•           Housing Reviews Limited: Officers have undertaken Homeless training, which is provided by Housing Reviews Limited to a large number of Local Authorities throughout the country. The courses include face-to-face training on matters related to the Equality Act and discrimination. Information is obtainable directly from Housing Reviews Limited and is available online.

In response to the second question Cllr Tumbridge advised on behalf of Cllr Hossack that the High Court had recently made given* judgement against the claimants case. Therefore in light of the High Court decision it would not be possible appropriate* for the Council to consider such a motion as set out in the question.

*amendments agreed at 22.1.2020 Ordinary Council meeting.

Mrs Gearon-Simms put the following question to the Leader of the Council:

“I understand that buyers of council owned properties are contractually obliged to desist from selling or renting these properties for five years.  What action does the Council take to ensure that the purchases of the council properties comply with their contractual obligations?

For example, how long is it before these brought properties can be rented or sold?”

Cllr Hossack thanked Mrs Gearon-Simm for her question.

He advised her that all properties bought via the Right to Buy Scheme have a clause within their lease, and a restriction on their Title Register prohibiting them to sell before 10 years after date of completion. If looking to sell within the first five years after completion, a percentage of the discount received will be repayable to the council.

If the homeowner wishes to sell before the 10 year period expires, they must comply with legislation under Housing Act 1985 s 156 which refers to the Councils Right of First Refusal. This in summary states that the Council should be offered the opportunity to buy back the ex-council property, before placing on the open market.

There are no clauses or restrictions in place with regards to how long a homeowner must wait before they are able to let out their property. Therefore, they are free to do so straight away, and notify Housing of their correspondence address.

The council relies on the duty of the Conveyancer/Solicitor to notify the Housing/Legal department when a transfer is taking place. Upon this notification, actions are taken to ensure accounts are balanced,  discounts owed are repaid and the Right of First Refusal is upheld.