Issue - meetings

Received a report and presentation on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estimates and review of rents and other charges for 2005/06.  Discussed issues relating to the publicising of the unpooling of rents / service charge proposals via the More Choice in Lettings system and a plan to create a Rents Focus Group, whose membership would be made up of Council representatives and members of the local community.

Agreed, in order to meet the Council’s statutory duty to annually review rents and other charges, to ensure rent levels conform with the Government’s rent restructuring proposals, and to produce a balanced HRA, to:

1.  The HRA estimates for 2005-06 as set out in Appendix A to the report;

2.  Rent increases calculated in accordance with the rent restructuring formula, as detailed in the report, which represents an average weekly rent increase of £2.25 (3.7%);

3.  The unpooling of rents / service charges in respect of the caretaking service, the upkeep of amenity greens and the provision of door security systems on a five-year phased basis as detailed in the report;

4.  The increase of heating charges and garage rents in line with inflation (3.1%);

5.  The above changes taking effect from 4 April 2005; and

6.  The establishment of a Rents Focus Group, subject to a further report on the detailed proposals.