Purpose

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for 2025/26 outlines the objectives and standards for the service, detailing the strategies to achieve these goals. It also includes plans for resource and financial requirements, providing a framework for monitoring and evaluating the progress of the housing 'business'. This plan is essential for communicating the authority's intentions to its tenants, the Welsh Government, other key stakeholders, partners, and the wider community.

The Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) 23 Compliance Policy aims to communicate the approach to the WHQS programme, considering local circumstances and relevant decisions. It provides context for how progress is being or has been achieved and offers assurance on the accuracy of statistical returns. Additionally, it includes a cost estimate for delivering the standard. Key areas covered in the policy include details of the database/asset management software, tenant engagement, methods for obtaining independent verification, compliance statements for new tenants, and detailed explanatory statements for elements that are not measured or are cost-prohibitive. The policy also addresses target energy pathways and aspects of redevelopment and demolition.

Decision

RESOLVED: that

1. the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2025-2026 be approved for presentation to Welsh Government.
2. the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Compliance Policy be approved.