Decision details

To approve the Mutual Exchange Policy for North Yorkshire Council, which sets out a consistent and transparent county-wide approach to managing tenant mutual exchanges following local government reorganisation, ensuring compliance with statutory duties.

Approval to adopt the proposed Mutual Exchange Policy and delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Community Development to make minor amendments to the policy as required by changes in regulation or legislation.

The Mutual Exchange Policy provides a single, clear and consistent approach to managing mutual exchange applications following LGR. A unified policy is essential to replace the differing processes previously used across the former district and borough councils and to ensure that all tenants receive an equitable, transparent and reliable service. The policy ensures the Council meets its statutory and regulatory obligations, including the requirements set out in the Housing Act 1985, Localism Act 2011 and the Regulator of Social Housing’s Tenancy Standard.

The policy also supports the Council’s wider strategic priorities by improving the effective use of housing stock, supporting mobility for households with changing needs and enabling earlier resolution of housing issues that may otherwise increase demand on other services. It provides a robust foundation for future performance monitoring through the Housing Revenue Account Framework and includes a clear review cycle to ensure it remains up to date.

Not to create a single Mutual Exchange Policy and retain differing and inconsistent processes across the legacy borough and district council areas, or to make only minor amendments to the existing legacy policies. These options were rejected on the grounds that they would fail to address key issues raised by tenants during consultation and lead to a continuation of inequity between tenants.