Levenmouth Area Lettings Plan ~ 2009/2010 Appendix 1

1.0 Lettings Plans Introduction

The Lettings Plan for Levenmouth area is part of Fife Council's operational arrangements for managing housing allocations in a way that reflect local needs and circumstances but within the overarching Fife Council Scheme of Allocations. Areal Lettings Plans represent the critical link between policy and practice, providing a pro-active system for assessing need and demand at a local level, to set targets which take account of local stock profiles, past performance and other factors which will influence housing management decisions. The Plan is part of the local Community Planning framework therefore there should be clear links between the various strategic and operational arrangements to set out how allocations decisions and specific initiatives will contribute to the broader service improvement agenda.

The Area Lettings Plan is developed, and operates within, the “Increasing Access to Housing” Agenda by setting out the key priorities and targeted initiatives within the scope of housing turnover and properties becoming available to let. Having clear priorities will help make sure all fife Council resources are directed towards delivering excellent services that will make a real difference to the people of Fife. We will focus on the eight priorities, be honest about the improvements we can make and report regularly on our progress.

The Big 8 Priorities are:-

• Improving educational attainment and achievement for all

• Making Fife the leading green Council

• Improving local conditions for economic development

• Increasing access to housing

• Improving community safety

• Targeted support to vulnerable people

• Improving sport, leisure and cultural opportunities

• Becoming a top performing council

2.0 Alternative Housing within the Cluster Area

2.1 The current Registered Social Landlords in the area are:

2.2 We are still working with Kingdom Housing Association to look for opportunities to develop new build low cost housing in the area. Lady Wynd was recently completed and they have submitted a detailed planning application for Rising Sun Road in Buckhaven. In addition, Fife Council are investigating the possibility of upgrading the properties in Diadem Place, Gillespie Wynd and Bethune Way Buckhaven. Within the Leven area the following areas have already been earmarked for development Duniface, Leven (phase 2) - 4 units, Johnston Terrace, Windygates - 24 units and Mountfleurie, Leven - 18 units. It is hoped that Johnstone Terrace and Mountfleurie will be completed this financial year but at this stage this is not guaranteed.

3.0 Analysis of Allocations 2008/2009

Demand for housing has been balanced against what housing may become available over the coming year. The past year's housing statistics were analysed to enable us to forward project. The following factors will be taken into consideration in the final analysis:

The analysis has been produced through reporting pulled from in-house computer system `Genero'.

3.1 Allocations

The table below shows the amount of properties allocated by number and percentage to each needs group within the Councils Housing Allocations Policy. The table also shows the current number of applicants within each category on Fife Councils housing Lists.

3.2 Allocation by Property Types

The table below shows the number of allocation by size and property type. The table also shows the current housing stock (stk) within the area by property type and size to demonstrate the constraints of the housing stock available.

3.3 House Sales, Demolitions and Procurement

3.3.1 House Sales

The number of Fife Council house sales for the area in the past year is 49 approximately the same number of properties will be sold within the area in the coming year.

3.3.2 Demolitions - 32 properties in High Street East, Buckhaven are currently on the management demolition voids code awaiting committee approval also it is proposed that Anderson Lane and Shore Street Buckhaven have been earmarked for demolition and we are currently awaiting committee decision on this

3.3.3 Procurement -8 properties were procured in year 2008/09 with a projected further 8 required in 2009/10

3.3.4 Specific Allocations Approaches

Fife Council is committed to making the best use of it's housing stock, creating sustainable tenancies and supporting the creation and maintenance of sustainable communities. Allocations play a key role therefore the council has made provision to establish specific allocations approaches for certain types of properties within the context of the Local Lettings Plan.

These properties will generally be

In these circumstances, the council will take account of housing need factors but will ensure have regard to;

Within the Levenmouth Area the following properties will only be allocated to applicants who are 50 years plus or to applicants where there are illness & disability factors.

Leven, Kennoway & Windygates

Buckhaven & Wemyss Villages

Methil & Methilhill

Lower Largo, Upper Largo& Lundin Links

Where these circumstantial factors have significantly influenced the allocations decision, this will be reflected as part of the Allocations Audit and Quality Assurance Framework.

3.4 Allocation Projections

The projection of allocations for the coming year is based on the above statistical analysis from the allocations carried out within 2008 - 2009.

For the coming year 2009 - 20010 we would propose the following quotas -

3.4 Category Explanations

The allocations categories are in line with Fife Council's allocations policy where each category is explained fully.

4.0 Community Lettings Initiative

Community Lettings Initiatives are designed to allow Officers to develop targeted Allocations Solutions to specific local problems (in some cases as small as a street or a block). Largely the Community Lettings Initiatives proposed are to allow us to tackle the following issues -

4.2 BUCKHAVEN & WEMYSS VILLAGES

4.2.1 Lawrence Court , Buckhaven

Issue: Most 1 bedroom flats are occupied by pensioners and the only applicants at the top of our lists are teenagers.

Solution: Raise age limit to 35 years and over for these properties to create a balanced community with a good mix of tenure and not make pensioners feel vulnerable.

4.2.2

Randolph Court Buck haven - Blocks 60-66, 68-74, 76-82 & 84-90

Raise age limit to 35 years and over for these properties, also prior to allocation all prospective tenants will be interviewed prior to any offer of housing being made, to discuss there suitability for this area in order to ensure that sustainable tenancies are created which in turn will assist in gaining a sustainable community.

4.2.3 The Barony East Wemyss

Issue - Although not difficult to let at the present time this area requires some pro-active action to ensure that it does not become problematic. These flats are not very child friendly as there is no safe play areas around the blocks and the stairwells are being vandalised by children living in and visiting the blocks.

Solutions:

4.3 METHIL AREA - Swan & Memorial Court, Methil

There have been for a number of year's community lettings initiatives at Swan and Memorial Court Methil. These are the two blocks of multi-story flats in Methil.

Issues - There was a real lack of demand for these properties due to major estate management issues and vandalism

Solutions -

Update-Continue to monitor how the success of the plan

4.4 WALK UP FLATS-WELLESLEY ROAD/COURT METHIL

This refers to 4 blocks of walk up flats.

Issue- The make up of these blocks are mainly elderly. The waiting lists are made up of mainly younger applicants, many with social issues.

Proposed- In order to maintain the current balanced social mix and make up of these properties to allocate only to applicants 50 years of age or older.

4.5 SIMON CRESCEN, METHILHILL

Issues: This Street mainly consists of four in block flatted properties, and due to estate management issues and vandalism this has resulted in a high turnover of tenancies and long term voids.

Solutions: All allocations to be made only to applicants 25 years and over and only when this list has been exhausted then the age range will be reduced to 21 years and over.

Also 3 apartment properties to be allocated to childless couples or single people

4.6 LEVEN AREA

William Laing Cres, Leven, Bishops Court, Kennoway, & Hallfields Court, Kennoway

4.6.1Bishops Court, Kennoway

Consists of sixteen, 3 apt maisonettes positioned above the main shopping centre. The flats have three common entrance stairwells with door entry systems, however there is no lift access, no suitable drying area, and they do not have a suitable play area for young children.

4.6.2 William Laing, Crescent, Leven

Consists of 25 maisonettes that are accessed by two door entry systems, however there is no lift access and they do not have a suitable play area for young children.

Because of particular estate management issues at William Laing Crescent, Leven and Bishops Court in Kennoway it was becoming increasing difficult to let these flats. Therefore Community Lettings Initiatives were introduced at both sets of flats. Because of the success of both initiatives it has been agreed to continue allocations in both areas to applicants 25 years and over, with an age restriction of 18 years and over for any family members, and only if the waiting list has been exhausted, reduce the age restriction to 21 years and over.

Prior to allocation all prospective tenants will be interviewed prior to any offer of housing being made, to discuss there suitability for this area in order to ensure that sustainable tenancies are created which in turn will assist in gaining a sustainable community.

4.6.3 Hallfields Court, Kennoway

Consists of 20 single persons properties with 20 2/3 bedroom properties, the flats have 5 stairwells with door entry systems, however there is no lift access and no suitable play areas for children. These properties have gained a poor reputation because of problems with neighbour disputes, alleged drug related crime, and there is a high level of police involvement in the area. The door entry system to the flats are continually being vandalised, residents dump furniture over the balconies at the back of the flats, youths continually gain access to the flats at the back and cause damage. There is also a high turnover of properties, especially with all applicants who have had difficulty sustaining a tenancy. Abandonment of properties are also fairly common

Prior to allocation all prospective tenants will be interviewed prior to any offer of housing being made, to discuss there suitability for this area in order to ensure that sustainable tenancies are created which in turn will assist in gaining a sustainable community.

5.0 Homeless targets

There is a significant shortage of available one bedroom properties for single homeless applicants across the Levenmouth area which has resulted in this category having to wait an extensive period of time for an offer of housing. In order to address this and to meet the homeless quota requirements of 42% for the area, we will allocate 10% of 3 apartment properties on a quota basis to single homeless priority applicants to help us address this imbalance.

6.0 Consultation & Information Sharing

In order for the plan to reflect the views of the locality a wider consultation process was undertaken. Local Services Network, Housing Services, registered social landlords and elected members were all given the opportunity to provided views which is crucial for the plan to reflect the localities needs. Tenants Organisations with an interest in Housing are also involved in the development and implementation of the plan.

6.1 The Community

The Community will be informed through consultation with local tenants and residents groups, tenants Federations and Community Councils (identified in attached document). All groups will be given the opportunity to comment on the plan and have further discussions where required. Lettings Plan information will also be published in the `Down your Street' publication which will be delivered to all Fife Council Tenants. The Lettings Plans will also be on Fife Direct where feedback can be provided from tenants online.

Tenants within CLI areas will also be lettered regarding the local initiative providing them with accurate information and the option to bring forward any comments regarding the initiative.

Public display and information on lettings plans will be located within in the Local Office. The Information will be display at quarterly intervals detailing the number of lets, the groups in which the lets were allocated and the type of properties let. There will also be a copy of the plan available to the public within the local office. All lettings information will also be delivered as part of the `Housing Options' interview. Information posters will also be displayed within local buildings such as Health Centres and Community Centres. These posters will provide basic information on Lettings Plans and contact numbers for further information.

6.2 Elected Members

Elected Members will be asked to be actively involved in the development of the Lettings Plan. Elected members will be encouraged to comment on the plan throughout development stages and when implemented. Elected Members will be kept up to date with the progress of the plan and any amendments required throughout the term of the plan. .

6.3 Staff

Staff have been actively involved in the development of the plan and have been fully briefed on the final contents of the plan in order to be able to provide accurate information and advice to those who require it. There will also be continued staff training on Housing Allocations and general Housing Advice to allow us to answer Customer queries fully.

6.4 Registered Social Landlords

Registered Social Landlords will be informed of the development of the plan and provided the opportunity to comment and provide information where appropriate. RSL's will be kept up to date with the progress of the plan and any amendments required throughout the term of the plan.

7.0 Monitoring & Audit

As part of the implementation of the Lettings Plan enhanced monitoring is proposed to ensure the plan is meetings its targets -

There will be a final end of year review of the Area Lettings Plan which will determine the following years plan.

Consultation Report

The following groups and organisations have been consulted throughout the development of the lettings plan for the Levenmouth Area.

The table below details the organisations, Method of consultation and the date consultation was completed.

Full consultation has been carried out with the above Groups, Organisations and Elected Members on the development of the Lettings Plan and all been provided the opportunity to comment on the plan for the Levenmouth Area.

Minutes/Correspondence of meetings attached.

(Signature) Lydia Simpson………………………………… (Advice & Support Manager)

(Area) Levenmouth

Date 8.5.09

(Signature) Peter Nicol……………………………………... (Advice & Support Manager)

(Area) Levenmouth

Date 8.5.09

Housing Associations - Operating in Fife

Tenants & Residents Associations and Forums

2008 2009

2010 - 3^rd Qtr reporting in January 4^th Qtr - Year End report and Qtr 4 report

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Area Lettings Plan 2009/2010 - FINAL