Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 15/10/2012, 19.00 - Meetings ...

Building a Housing Ladder of Opportunity – Housing Allocation Schemeinterview services are available for applicants who are elderly or who experiencemobility difficulties.6.15 The Council will seek to ensure that its allocation policies are being operated in amanner that is fair to all sections of the community regardless of nationality,ethnic origin, marital status, age, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Theinformation provided will be kept confidential and treated with respect. Thecouncil believes it is important to understand the different communities who applyfor housing and it is only by asking these questions can the Council check that itis operating a fair system.6.16 All applicants for housing or re-housing will be asked to provide details of ethnicorigin, sexuality, disability and other equalities information. Provision of thisinformation will not be obligatory and not a requirement for acceptance of anapplication. However, such information will help monitor the number and types ofequality groups seeking support and therefore applicants will be strongly advisedto complete the relevant information. Equalities records will be kept andmonitored on a regular and systematic basis to ensure properties are beingoffered and allocated fairly.6.17 Allocation policies and any changes to them will be reviewed regularly to ensurethey do not operate in ways that discriminate against or disadvantage anyparticular group.Confidentiality6.18 The Council will take disciplinary action against any employee who makesuse of any information obtained in the course of their employment forpersonal gain or benefit, or who passes it to others who might use it insuch a way. A report to the police will be made if it appears that a criminaloffence has been committed.6.19 The disclosure of information about any housing application to a third party isprohibited except on a “need to know” basis in the following circumstances:• to plan and provide assistance jointly with health and social services agenciesin appropriate cases.• for the purpose of fraud detection, the prevention of crime, and the promotionof community safety.• to enable efficient administration of offers of re-housing, lettings, housingassociation nominations, and rent and benefit accountancy etc.• where disclosure is a legal requirement.Access to Personal Files30Page 413