Decision

1.        
that the Rent and Service Charge Setting Policy set
out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved;
 

2.        
that Council on 26 February 2026 be recommended to approve as part
of the Revenue Budget Fees and Charges the proposed rent increase
for 2026/2027 whereby all Social Housing rents are increased by
CPI+1%, equalling 4.8% in total;
 

3.        
that rent reviews take place on all Service Occupancy properties
and those rents be increased up to open market value; and
 

4.        
that delegated authority be provided to the Director
of Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for
Housing and Finance, to approve an annual update to the policy, for
the remainder of the period covered by the Rent Standard and
Guidance (subject to Government Policy continuing to cap annual
increases to rent and service charge to CPI + 1%)

Reasons for the decision

The Council was
required to adopt a Rent and Service Charge Policy, which sets the
framework for all its housing stock, which manages tenants
expectations in respect of annual increases, and gives certainty to
the Council for business planning purposes.

Alternative options considered

There were no
alternative options considered.