Purpose

This report sets out the HRA budget proposals
for the financial year 2024/25.

Decision

That Cabinet agrees:
           
1.   
To approve the Housing Revenue Account 2024/25 budget for council
homes as set out in Table 1.
 
2.   
To approve the HRA 10-year Business Plan for Council Homes (2024/25
– 2033/34) as set out in paragraphs 3 - 4 of this report and
Appendices 1 - 4.
 
3.   
To approve a rent increase of 7.7% from 1 April 2024 (in line with
September 2023 CPI+1%), which equates to an average weekly increase
for tenants of £9.62 in 2024/25.
 
4.   
To approve an increase to shared ownership rents of 7.7% from 1
April 2024 (in line with September 2023 CPI+1%).
 
5.   
To approve changes to tenant service charges to reflect the costs
of providing communal services from 1 April 2024, which equate to
an average weekly increase for tenants of £3.01in
2024/25.
 
6.   
To approve a reduction to charges for
heating and hot water to reflect the costs of provision of the
district heating service from 1 April 2024, which equate to an
average weekly reduction for tenants and leaseholders on the scheme
of £0.41 (communal heating), £1.87 (tenants’
personal heating) and £2.21 (leaseholders’ personal
heating) in 2024/25.
 
7.   
To approve an increase to the management fee for temporary on
licence properties of 6.7% (in line with September 2023 CPI) from 1
April 2024.
 
8.   
To approve an increase to the rent and service charges for hostels
of 7.7% from 1 April 2024 (in line with September 2023 CPI+1%).
 
9.   
To increase garage charges for council tenants, resident
leaseholders, and for other customers from April 2024 by 6.7% (in
line with September 2023 CPI).
 
10.To note that any change to
parking charges on housing estates will be considered separately
with the Council’s parking plans.
 
11.To increase car
space rental charges for all customers by 6.7% from
April 2024 (in line with September 2023
CPI).
 
12.To approve an increase in the
Leasehold After Sale – Home Buy Fees by 6.7% from April 2024
from £217 to £232 (in line with September 2023
CPI).