Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend approval of the following to Council:

1.     that from 07 April 2025, an increase in dwelling rents of 2.7% from the 2024/25 weekly rent level, in accordance with Government guidelines, be agreed;

2.     that from 07 April 2025, an increase in garage rents of 2.7% from the 2024/25 weekly rent level be agreed;

3.     that from 07 April 2025, an increase in shared ownership property rents of 3.2% from the 2024/25 weekly rent level, in accordance with Government guidelines of RPI +0.5%, be agreed, and that the weekly rent of one additional property sold under previous legislation be increased by 2.7%;

4.     that from 07 April 2025 Service Charges will continue to reflect actual charges and following a reduction in window cleaning and utility costs, these respective charges will be reduced;

5.     that the HRA budget, as set out in Appendix 1 of this report, be agreed; and

6.     that a Housing Capital Programme to 2027/28, as set out in Appendix 4, be agreed.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council

PORTFOLIO:

Housing and Homelessness

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness reported he was delighted to present the HRA report which proposed a balanced budget for 2025/26 for approval, supporting the Corporate Plan commitments.

The proposed budget included a rent increase of 2.7%, which should be viewed against the current inflation rate of 3%.  An uplifted maintenance budget was proposed of £18.93 million to be spent on maintaining tenants’ properties during 2025/26.  This included investment on additional windows, bathrooms, replacement heating and insulation to accelerate improvements to council housing which would reduce household energy bills for the benefit of tenants.  This was a key priority of the Cabinet.

The development and acquisition of new council properties was proposed to continue.  The budget was supported by a 30 year business plan, which detailed the spending decisions which would support the sustainability of the HRA for the duration of the plan.

The Strategic Director of Housing and Communities further highlighted that the budget proposed continued support for compliance and safety of tenants and their properties.  The budget proposed £1.5 million for fire safety works and £1.87 million for decarbonisation works to support the energy efficiency measures which had already been highlighted.

In addition to these works, there was a proposed increase in expenditure, which was more than in previous years in order to support the Cabinet in the Corporate priorities.  This included an increased level of borrowing.  Borrowing over a 30 year period had been forecast and this was supported within the plan.

Rent was proposed to be increased, however the flexible service charging approach, instigated last year meant that some service charges would decrease. This was possible due to savings passed on by procuring a better value window cleaning contract, and a reduction in the utility costs for communal areas.

The Portfolio Holders each spoke in support of the report, recognising the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63