Strategy and Policy

The Council is the statutory housing authority for Orkney and has a duty, in partnership with other agencies, to make sure there is an adequate supply of housing for its citizens. It is required to prepare plans which set out clearly the extent of demand for housing, in the short and medium terms, and how that demand can best be addressed.

The following strategy and policy documents illustrate how the Council intends to deliver its housing services in Orkney:

 

Strategy Documents

 

Accessibility Strategy 2009

This covers Housing Services means of ensuring that our services are accessible to all, whether physically or non-physically. This covers the provision of information in different languages and formats to ensure that no one is unable to access our services due to English being a second language or due to any disability for example.

Advice and Information Strategy 2011-2016

This covers the Council's approach to the provision of advice and information in relation to housing and includes close joint working with a range of partner agencies.

Arrears Strategy

Covers the Council's approach to minimising rent arrears and ensuring it is efficient at dealing with arrears where they do occur.

Equalities Strategy

This document covers the means by which the Housing Division ensures that it does not discriminate in any way in the provision of its services.

Fuel Poverty Strategy 2009

The document sets out the Councils priorities for dealing with fuel poverty in Orkney over the next 5 years.  The strategy outlines the extent of the problem and the actions considered to be the most effective in improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock across all tenures.

Homelessness Strategy and Profile of Homelessness

The production of this is a statutory duty of the Council and it covers the Council's approach to the prevention of homelessness wherever this is possible and where homelessness cannot be avoided, its response to homelessness.

Local Housing Strategy 2004-2009

This is a statutory duty of the Council and is intended to outline where the Council identifies there is a need for housing development. This relates to all tenures. This strategy contains the Council's Fuel Poverty Strategy which details what the Council proposes to do to ensure everyone has access to affordable warmth.

Temporary Accommodation Strategy

This document assesses need in relation to the provision of homelessness services and determines the level and type of housing that will be required to meet this need.

Tenant Participation Strategy 2011-2016

This is a statutory duty of the Council and outlines how the Council will involve tenants and residents in policy development and other decisions which affect them.

 

Policy Documents

 

Affordable Housing Policy

This sets out a quota system which requires developers to ensure that a proportion of their development is affordable to those on lower incomes.

Anti-social Behaviour Policy

Outlines the Housing Division's approach to anti-social behaviour.

Lettings Policy

Outlines how the Council allocates its Council housing and how it determines housing need.

Right to Repair Policy

Outlines the Right to Repair scheme and how the Council responds to repairs which fall within the criteria.

Policy on Pets

Outlines the Council's policy in relation to keeping pets within our properties.

Policy on Private Sector Landlord Registration

Outlines the Council's approach to the Private Sector Landlord Registration Scheme.

Removal Grant Policy

This scheme allows Council tenants who no longer require a larger house to obtain financial assistance if they move to a smaller Council property.

Rent Setting Policy

This outlines how we set our rents.

All documents are available from Related Downloads on this web page.