Issue - meetings
HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT ESTIMATES 2012/13 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN (RENT SETTING - HRA)
Meeting: 25/02/2015 - Council (Item 145)
PDF 456 KBTo receive the joint report of the Directors of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care & Finance, Resources and Customer Services presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2015/16 and the updated position on the HRA 30 year business plan.
(Report No.159A)
(Key Decision – Reference No.3958)
Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were endorsed and approved for recommendation onto Council by Cabinet on 11 February 2015.
Minutes:
Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Taylor seconded the report from the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.159A) setting out the proposed detailed budget for the Housing Revenue Account for 2015/16.
Given the time remaining to complete consideration of the agenda, the recommendations in the report were put straight to the vote and agreed unanimously without a vote.
AGREED
(1) To approve the detailed revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account for 2015/16
(2) The rents be increased in line with Government guidance and Enfield Council Rent Policy. This would result in an average increase of 2.2% for Enfield tenants.
(3) To approve the level of service charges for 2015/16, as set out in paragraph 6.1 of the report, for those properties receiving the services.
(4) To approve the proposals for increases in other income for 2015/16 as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.
(5) The Temporary Accommodation rents as set out in Appendix 6 of the report, for 2015/16 and that the authority to review in the event of any changes be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Management and the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services.
(6) To approve the total HRA capital programme of £52.7m for 2015/16 and a further 4 years.
(7) That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Estate Regeneration and the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care to approve tenders for Decent Homes and General Works.
Meeting: 26/02/2014 - Council (Item 120)
To receive the joint report of the Directors of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care & Finance, Resources and Customer Services presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2014/15 and the updated position on the HRA 30 year business plan.
(Report No.179A)
(Key Decision – Reference No.3855)
Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were endorsed and approved for recommendation onto Council by Cabinet on 12 February 2014.
Minutes:
Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Georgiou seconded the joint report of the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care & Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.179A) presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2014/15 and the updated position on the HRA 30 year business plan.
NOTED
1. The recommendations set out in the report had been endorsed and recommended to Council at the Cabinet meeting held on 12 February 2014.
2. The background to the proposed rent charges for 2014/15, as detailed within section 5 and Appendix 5 of the report. The 2014/15 rent level had been subject to an average increase of 4.6% but this had been in line with national social housing rent policy and compared well with other local authorities. The increase also reflected the continued convergence towards formula rents by 2015/16.
3. The background to the proposed service charges for 2014/15, as detailed within section 6 of the report.
4. The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan had been updated to reflect the new level of rents and service charges and progress on delivery of the estate renewal and decent homes programme.
5. The efficiencies achieved in relation to the reduction in Enfield Homes Management fee for 2014/15, as detailed within section 14 of the report.
6. No change was being proposed in relation to Temporary Accommodation rents for 2014/15, as detailed within section 10 of the report.
7. Whilst supportive of the recommendations within the report (recognising the convergence towards formula rents), concerns were raised by the Opposition Group regarding:
a. the increase in borrowing identified in relation to the HRA Capital Programme and Government cap, particularly in relation to the affordability of the proposals for investment in the private rented sector approved by Cabinet (12 February 14); and
b. following on from a. above, the overall approach towards dealing with the increasing demand and cost on Temporary Accommodation and need to consider a wider range of alternative options, including a council house building programme and working more closely with other local authorities to free up additional land for development.
8. In response to the concerns raised under 7. above, the Deputy Leader highlighted a need to recognise the work undertaken by the Council to tackle the number of households within Temporary Accommodation and impact of the Government’s welfare reform programme and funding allocation in terms of creating additional pressure. The proposals for investing in the private sector had been subject to detailed financial modelling and designed as an option for addressing these pressures.
9. The thanks to Council officers for their support and efforts in delivery of the budget proposals alongside the key achievements in relation to the housing service.
Following a further period of debate the recommendations in the report were approved, without a vote.
AGREED
(1) To approve the detailed revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account for 2014/15
(2) That the rents be increased in line with national social rent policy. This would result ... view the full minutes text for item 120
Meeting: 27/02/2013 - Council (Item 136)
To receive the joint report of the Directors of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care & Finance, Resources and Customer Services presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2013/14 and the updated position on the HRA 30 year business plan.
(Report No.152A)
(Key Decision – Reference No.3621)
Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report were endorsed and approved for recommendation onto Council by Cabinet on 13 February 2013.
Minutes:
Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Georgiou seconded the joint report of the Directors of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care & Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.152A) presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2013/14 and the updated position on the HRA 30 year business plan.
NOTED
1. The recommendations set out in the report had been endorsed and recommended onto Council at the Cabinet meeting held on 13 February 2013.
2. The background to development of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estimates and rent setting proposals for 2013/14, which had been designed to reflect:
a. the introduction of the HRA self financing system; and
b. the requirements and assumptions within the Council’s HRA Business Plan
3. In accordance with the HRA Business Plan the proposals for 2013/14 had included an increase in housing rents and service charges. Whilst the recommended increase had been in line with national social rent policy and government guidelines on self financing it had been set at as minimal a level as possible in order to support ongoing delivery of the Business Plan and the Council’s wider estate regeneration proposals.
4. The need to recognise the future impact of the Government’s welfare reforms and benefit changes on the HRA, due to be implemented from 2013/14 onwards.
5. Whilst supportive of the recommendations within the report, concerns were raised by the Opposition Group regarding management of the Council’s overall budget deficit and need to consider alternative methods of addressing demand on services, particularly in relation the provision of temporary accommodation for homeless households.
6. The thanks to Council officers for their support and efforts in delivery of the budget proposals alongside the key achievements in relation to the housing service.
Following a further period of debate the recommendations in the report were approved, without a vote.
AGREED
(1) To approve the detailed revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account for 2013/14
(2) That the rents be increased in line with national social rent policy. This would result in an average increase of 3.9% for Enfield tenants.
(3) That all void properties be re let at target rent.
(4) The level of service charges for 2013/14 as set out in Paragraph 6.1 of the report for those properties receiving the services.
(5) The proposals for increases in other income for 2013/14, as detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report.
(6) The Temporary Accommodation rents for 2013/14, as set out in Appendix 5 of the report.
(7) The total HRA capital programme of £47.5m.
(8) To note that Cabinet agreed authority should be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care to approve tenders for Decent Homes and General Works.
Meeting: 29/02/2012 - Council (Item 116)
To receive the joint report of the Directors of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care & Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.190A) presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2012/13 following consultation with residents on the HRA budget position.
The recommendations set out in the report follow on from the report presented to and approved at the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2012. (Key Decision – Reference No.3400)
Minutes:
Councillor Oykener moved and Councillor Georgiou seconded the joint report of the Directors of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care & Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.190A) presenting for approval the revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2012/13 following consultation with residents on the HRA budget position.
NOTED
1. The recommendations set out in the report followed on from the report considered and approved at the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2012.
2. The impact arising from:
a. the introduction of HRA self financing as set out in section 3 of the report, which had been welcomed by members; and
b. the need to base the setting of rent charges for 2012/13 on the Government’s formula rent calculation.
c. the reforms being made by Central Government to social housing and Welfare Benefits policy.
3. The work undertaken with the Council’s external procurement body which had resulted in reductions being secured in the cost for supply of electricity at housing sites. This had enabled a freeze in heating fund charges at current levels, which was welcomed by all members.
4. The ongoing re-investment in the Council’s housing stock under the Decent Homes Improvement Programme.
5. The Opposition Groups concern to ensure that the review of Enfield Homes was focussed around the needs of local tenants and leaseholders and was structured to enable their full involvement.
6. The thanks to Council officers for their support and efforts in delivery of the budget proposals alongside the key achievements in relation to the housing service.
AGREED
(1) The detailed revenue estimates of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2012/13.
(2) To increase the rents in line with national social rent policy. This will result in an average increase of 6.95% for Enfield tenants.
(3) The level of service charges for 2012/13 (as set out in para 15.1 of the report) for those properties receiving the services.
(4) The proposals for increases in other income for 2012/13 as detailed in Appendices 2 & 3 of the report.
(5) The Temporary Accommodation rents for 2012/13, as set out in Appendix 5 of the report.
(6) The HRA capital programme for 2012/13 of £36.9m.
(7) To note the decision to borrow the final settlement sum notified in the January determination, confirmed at £28.8m.
(8) To delegate authority to the Cabinet member for Housing and the Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care to approve tenders for Decent Homes and General Works.