Issue - meetings

A report from the Executive Director of Place and the Executive Director of Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5503)

Cllr George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Directors Place and Resources, setting out the proposed HRA 30-Year Business Plan, the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2023/24, the ten-year Capital Programme and Right to Buy One for One Receipts programme.

The report included the proposed rent level, and fees and service charges for tenants and leaseholders. It was confirmed there had been consultation on the rent increase. Clarification was provided in respect of charges made to nurseries which supported low income households through the subsidised council service for children 2-4 and would be levied at a charitable rate. Current government restrictions on retention of Right To Buy receipts were noted.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed to:

1.  Recommend to Council to approve the HRA 30-Year Business Plan shown in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.  Recommend to Council to approve the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2023/24 as shown in paragraph 69.

3.  Recommend to Council to approve the 10-year HRA Capital Programme of £947m and borrowing requirements to deliver 3,500 council led homes.

4.  Recommend to Council a rent increase of 7% in line with Government guidelines noting the social, affordable and shared ownership rent levels for the HRA properties in 2023/24.

5.  Recommend to Council to approve the level of service charges for 2023/24 for those tenants and leaseholders receiving eligible services. These include new and enhanced services that will be implemented from April 2023, in addition mid-year implementation of additional security on Housing estates (from paragraph 36).

6.  Recommend to Council to approve the charges for garages, parking bay and community halls rents as set out from paragraph 55.

7.  Note the heating charges for 2023/24 for those properties on communal heating systems (both electric and gas).

8.  Note that all future hire of community halls for commercial nursery use will be let at private hire rates.

The report sets out the options considered, if any, and the reasons for the recommendations and the decision.

(Key decision – reference number 5503)