Purpose

During the Housing Committees meeting on
Tuesday 23 January 2024 the Housing General Fund budget was
presented which included proposals to uplift both pitch fees and
garage rents by 7.7% in line with rental increases within the
Housing Revenue account. This recommendation was agreed and
resolved by the Committee. However, a discussion over the
application of RPI and CPI to mobile homes prompted Officers to
re-check the legislation relating to mobile homes, which changed
part-way through this year's budget process. In 2023, an act was
passed switching the cap from RPI to the latest CPI and therefore
actual increases will be limited to the latest CPI available on 3rd
March.

To resolve this, this decision under urgency powers is being
requested to ensure compliance with changes to the relevant
legislation.

In reality, this will mean that pitch fees are likely to increase
by the less than the agreed 7.7% from April 2024. An increase to
garage rents will remain at 7.7% as resolved by the
Committee.

A prudent approach in the budget was taken so the budget can stand
irrespective of the increase. In addition, this will have no impact
on the services to be provided to at the site and to its residents
over the course of 2024/25.

To ensure pitch fee notices are received by residents 28 days prior
to the increase commencement date, notices will need to be posted
prior to the next sitting of the Housing Committee on 19 March
2024.

Decision

Increases to pitch fees will be limited to the
latest CPI available on 3rd March.