Issue - meetings

A report from the Executive Director – Resources and Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5670)

Cllr George Savva (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director – Resources and Strategic Director of Housing and Regeneration, setting out the proposed HRA 30-Year Business Plan, the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2024/25 and the ten-year Capital Programme for investment in current stock and development and regeneration. In this context the annual rent increase for Council tenants and service charges for tenants and leaseholders was proposed. Officers were thanked for their hard work and providing a sound and balanced HRA budget.

In response to Members’ queries it was confirmed that proposals for making sure services were efficiently run, and for generating savings were included in the business plan, and that income generated would be invested back into services. Rent rises had been discussed with residents via Customer Voice and consultation, and the need for the raise was understood.

DECISION:  The Cabinet agreed

To recommend to Council to approve:

I. The detailed HRA Revenue Budget of £81.1m for 2024/25 as shown in paragraph 53 of the report.

II. The 10-year HRA Capital Programme of £900m and borrowing requirements to deliver 3,500 council led homes.

III. A rent increase of 7.7% in line with Government guidelines noting the social, affordable and shared ownership rent levels for the HRA properties in 2024/25.

IV. The level of service charges for 2024/25 for those tenants and leaseholders receiving eligible services at an average increase of 11%. These include enhanced services in response to resident feedback that will be implemented from April 2024 and new services that will be subject to resident consultation, as set out from paragraph 24 of the report.

V. The charges for garages, parking bay and community halls rents as set out from paragraph 41 of the report.

To Note:

VI. The heating charges for 2024/25 for those properties on communal heating systems (both electric and gas) as set out in paragraph 36 of the report.

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