Purpose

To consider the
Housing Revenue Account budget for 2026/27 including housing rents
and service charges.

Content

RESOLVED –
 
THAT having considered the views of the
District Management Committees (Appendix E), the Housing Scrutiny
Committee and the results of the Equalities Impact Assessments
(Appendix D) and having due regard to the obligations set out in
section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:  

a)           
THAT the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2026/27 (Appendix
A) to ensure a balanced HRA budget for 2026/27, which includes a
one-off drawdown from HRA reserves of up to £5m be
approved.

b)           
i.) THAT the increase of social housing rents by 4.8% (CPI +
1%) from April 2026, subject to recommendation b).ii).(paragraph
3.4) be agreed.

b)  ii.)
THAT, subject to the Secretary of State / Regulator permitting
further 
increases for ‘rent convergence’ from April 2026,
that all social housing rents not already at ‘formula’
rent will increase from April 2026 by the maximum permitted,
subject to a maximum of £2 a week (and in addition to the
increase in recommendation b)i.))  (paragraph 3.7) be
agreed.

c)            
THAT the increase to rents for temporary accommodation
(excluding hostels) held in the Council’s Housing Revenue
Account to the current Local Housing Allowance rate from April 2026
(paragraph 3.13) be agreed.

d)           
THAT the revised tenant service charges for Caretaking, CCTV,
Communal Lighting, Communal Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance,
Grounds Maintenance and Responsive Housing Patrol (paragraph 3.17)
be agreed.

e)           
THAT the revised service charges in the HRA hostels and
supported housing of 4.8% increase and 6.9% increase for concierge
and 3% increase for enhanced management charge for sheltered
housing (paragraph 3.20) be agreed.

f)             
THAT the freezing of heating and hot water charges at 25/26
levels (paragraph 3.25 and Appendix B) be agreed.

g)           
THAT the increase of shared ownership rents by RPI + 0.5%
(5.0%) (paragraph 3.8) be agreed.

h)           
THAT the increase of resident garage rents from
£18/week to £20/week from 2026/27 and commercial garage
rents by 11% (paragraph 3.21) be agreed.

i)              
THAT the increase to other fees and charges by 3% (private
garages, estate parking, sheds, cupboards, allotments, keys and
fobs, leaseholder  fees). (paragraph 3.22-3.23
and Appendix C) be agreed.

j)              
THAT that the decisions (a-i) above be exempted from call in,
subject to the agreement of the Chair of Housing Scrutiny
Committee, in order to facilitate the notice of rent change being
given to tenants within the necessary timescales be
agreed.