Decision details

Housing Revenue Account: Review of Rents and Other Charges 2023/24

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the HRA estimates and rent levels for Council properties for 2023/24, together with service and other related charges, and also to approve the rolling 30-year HRA Business Plan setting out how the Council intends to fund its stock investment, estate regeneration and new build plans.

Decision:

Cabinet resolved to:

 

(i)  Agree that rents for all general needs secure, affordable and sheltered housing accommodation be increased by the below-inflation rate of 7%, from the current average of £100.97 per week to £108.04 per week; 

 

(ii)  Agree the following service charges for tenants:

 

 

Service

Proposed Weekly Charge 2023/24

Increase

Grounds Maintenance

£2.93

£0.00

Caretaking

£7.65

£0.00

Cleaning

£3.68

£0.00

Estate Lighting

£4.34

£0.40

Concierge

£11.08

£1.02

CCTV (SAMS)

£6.79

£0.62

Safer Neighbourhood Charge

£0.57

£0.05

TV aerials

£0.62

£0.00

 

(iii)  Agree that charges for communal heating and hot water increase by 109% based on estimated charges, as follows:

 

Property size

Weekly Charge 2022/23

Weekly Charge 2023/24

Annual Charge 2023/24

Bedsit

£14.36

£30.01

£1,564.85

1 bedroom

£15.24

£31.85

£1,660.74

2 bedroom

£18.26

£38.16

£1,989.84

3 bedroom

£18.62

£38.92

£2,029.07

4 bedroom

£19.11

£39.94

£2,082.47

 

(iv)  Note that water and sewage charges shall be increased by the provider, currently estimated at a combined rate of 7.8%; and

 

(v)  Agree that the above charges take effect from 1 April 2023.

Report author: Katherine Heffernan

Publication date: 18/01/2023

Date of decision: 17/01/2023

Decided at meeting: 17/01/2023 - Cabinet

Effective from: 26/01/2023

Accompanying Documents: