Purpose

To agree the detailed HRA
budget proposals, rent levels and service charges for 2026/27, and
the HRA Capital Programme 2024-29

Content

 Recommended to Full Council (Budget
and policy framework):

1)   
To approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue
budget for 2026/27 and revised budget for 2025/26 as set out in
Appendix 1 to the report.

 

2)   
To approve the five-year HRA Capital Programme as
set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

 

3)   
To approve an increase of 4.8% to social and
affordable rents (including shared ownership) with effect from 6
April 2026 in line with the Government policy.
 

4)   
When Social Rented General Needs properties are
relet to new tenants, to approve that the applicable rent will be
increased by 5% above target rent with effect from 6 April 2026 in
line with the Government policy.

 

5)   
When social rented supported accommodation
properties are relet to new tenants, to approve that the applicable
rent will be increased by 10% above target rent with effect from 6
April 2026 in line with the Government policy.

 

6)   
When affordable rented properties are relet to new
tenants, to approve that the applicable rent is reset to the lower
of 80% of market rent (inclusive of Service Charges) or Local
Housing Allowance, with effect from 6 April 2026 in line with the
Government policy.

 

7)   
To approve that the revised service charges as set
out in paragraphs 2.5 of the Cabinet report and Appendix 3 to the
report are implemented with effect from 6 April 2026.
 

8)   
To approve an increase of 10% to garage
rents with effect from 6 April 2026.
 

9)   
To note that £1.306m of Major Works capital
expenditure profiled over 3 years between 2025/26 to 2027/28, is
being 50% match funded by grant. The Government scheme aims to
improve EPC ratings in HRA properties.