Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director Resources is attached.  (Key decision – reference number 5354)

Councillor Gina Needs (Cabinet Member for Social Housing) introduced the report of the Executive Director Place and Executive Director Resources setting out the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30-Year Business Plan, the detailed HRA Revenue Budget for 2022/23, the ten-year Capital Programme and Right to Buy (RTB) One for One Receipts programme.

NOTED

1.    The proposed rent charges for HRA properties 2022/23 were set out, with a 4.1% increase, following the Government’s Social Housing Rent Standard.

2.    The proposed tenants service charges were set out in para 30 to 33 of the report, increased in line with the costs of providing the services.

3.    In respect of heating charges, further work would continue with the energy provider.

4.    Garage charges and HRA community hall charges would increase in line with inflation.

5.    The Customer Voice group of residents were understanding of the need to make increases.

6.    This was a fair and robust budget.

7.    The Chair welcomed the investments in respect of fire safety and demonstration of the Council’s commitment. The GLA grant also showed that the local authority was a trusted delivery partner.

8.    In response to Councillor Barnes’ queries regarding flytipping, recent penalties were noted, and that the majority of flytipping was not from estate residents.

Alternative Options Considered:

Not applicable.

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 2022/23 as shown in paragraph 77.

3.    Recommend to Council to approve the 10-year HRA Capital Programme of £1,121m and borrowing requirements to deliver 3,500 council led homes.

4.    Recommend to Council a rent increase of 4.1% (CPI + 1%) in line with Government guidelines noting the social and affordable rent levels for circa 10,484 HRA properties in 2022/23.

5.    Recommend to Council to approve the level of service charges for 2022/23 for those tenants and leaseholders receiving eligible services.

6.    Recommend to Council to approve the charges for garages and parking bay rents as set out in paragraph 64.

7.    Recommend to Council to approve the charges for community hall hire, including a deposit system, and delegate authority to the Director of Housing and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Social Housing to review and implement a new policy with a view to a more flexible charging system in appropriate circumstances.

8.    Approve entering into the GLA grant agreement as part of the Affordable Housing Programme 21/26 and acceptance of the successful GLA grant bid of £166.5m and for starts from 2023 to 2028.

9.    Note the heating charges for 2022/23 for those properties on communal heating systems (both electric and gas), including a mid-year review to understand the impact of the energy contract renewal which will apply from September.

10. Approve the establishment of 4 posts in the 2022/23 revenue budget to support the Building Safety requirements of our high-rise blocks. To note the Housing Team will be progressing with resident engagement on the introduction of a new service charge in 2023/24 in relation to these costs.

11. Approve that Enfield, as one of the ten Constituent Authorities of the LHC (London Housing Consortium) Joint Committee, withdraws from the LHC Joint Committee, resulting in its potential disbandment in December 2022 at the earliest. This means that the LHC will no longer be an outside body subject to council nominations.

Reason:

This report is presented to Council on annual basis for the following reasons:

i To ensure that a balanced 30-Year HRA Business Plan is approved by Council.

ii To ensure that the HRA Budget is set by the Council and that this budget does not put the HRA into deficit.

iii To set the affordable and social rent and service charge levels for HRA properties, in line with the Governments Social Housing Rent Policy. This decision must be taken early enough for the tenants to be advised of the change at least 4 weeks prior to the date of that change.

(Key decision – reference number 5354)