Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented a report on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estimates, rents and other related charges for 2015/16.

The Cabinet Member advised on the key aspects of the proposals, which included the establishment of a five-year rent policy to achieve convergence with a formula rent; significant investment in the existing housing stock (£347m), new homes (£198m) and estate renewal (£60m) over the next ten years; and an average rent increase of 4%, equivalent to £3.67 per week.

Members spoke in support of the proposals and it was suggested that officers should continue to review all charges to ensure the removal of any perceived unfairness within the system.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree the Housing Revenue Account estimates for 2015/16 as detailed in Appendix 6 to the report;

(ii)  Agree an overall average Council dwelling rent increase of 4.0%, equivalent to £3.67 per week, and affordable rents to increase by 2.2% consistent with Government policy of CPI+1% as per the Affordable Homes Programme;

(iii)  Agree a five-year rent policy enabling convergence with formula rent by 2019/20;

(iv)  Agree an increase to tenant service charges of 5.8% (£1.93 per week);

(v)  Agree an additional provision for communal heating and hot water charges of 1.2% (£0.32 per week) based upon an inflationary uplift;

(vi)  Agree an increase to garage rents of £1, from £11 to £12 per week, and the establishment of a repairs and maintenance programme;

(vii)  Agree that officers initiate a review of estate located parking spaces/bays;

(viii)  Agree that rents for commercial properties increase in line with lease agreements; and

(ix)  Agree that the above changes take effect from 6 April 2015.