Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
The Cabinet will be asked to consider the HRA estimates and rent levels for Council properties for 2014/15, together with service and other related charges, to enable the delivery of efficient and effective services to the Council’s tenants and leaseholders for the forthcoming financial year
Cabinet resolved:
(i) To approve the Housing Revenue Account estimates for 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report, subject to the agreement of saving proposals which will be reported to Cabinet separately;
(ii) To approve the use of HRA balances where savings are not fully delivered in 2014/15, in order to achieve a balanced budget;
(iii) To approve an overall average Council dwelling rent increase of 1.9%, equivalent to £1.69 per week and comprising the following:
· New build and acquired Council homes (rents set at 50% of local market rents or at affordable rents above this (65%)) - 3.7% average increase, consistent with Government policy of RPI+0.5% as per Affordable Homes Programme.
· Other houses - 2.3% average increase.
· Other flats - 1.4% average increase.
(iv) To approve a decrease to tenant service charges of 13% (£3.49 per week);
(v) To approve an additional provision for communal heating and hot water charges of 9% (£1.32 per week), which represents the anticipated rise in energy costs to the Council for these services;
(vi) To approve a single, standard charge of £11 per week for garages and a further review of parking spaces;
(vii) To approve the increase in rents for commercial properties in line with lease agreements; and
(vii) That the above changes shall take effect from 1 April 2014.
Report author: Ken Jones
Publication date: 19/02/2014
Date of decision: 18/02/2014
Decided at meeting: 18/02/2014 - Cabinet
Effective from: 27/02/2014
Accompanying Documents: