Purpose

To consider the budget and make
recommendations to Council as appropriate.

Content

The Executive RECOMMEND that the
Council approves:
 

      
I.         
The weekly rent for Council dwellings to be
increased by up to 7.7% from the 2023/24 weekly rent charges,
effective from 1 April 2024, within the permitted guidelines
contained within the Government’s rent setting
policy

    
II.         
That service charges and utility charges at non
senior living accommodation be increased by 7.7% per
week

   
III.         
That the heating charges in senior living
accommodation be increased by 20% per week from 1 April 2024 to
£31.20

  
IV.         
The Service Charge in senior living accommodation be
increased by 15% per week from 1 April 2024 to
£24.04

    
V.         
The revised HRA Business Plan for 2024/25 to 2053/54
as set out in Annexe 1

  
VI.         
The approved change to the fees and charges as set
out in Annexe 4 is noted;

 VII.         
The HRA capital programmes as show in Annexe 5 and
6;

VIII.         
The financing of the capital programmes in line with
the resources as shown in Annexe 7

  
IX.         
To deliver the works identified in the maintenance
budgets it is recommended that authority is delegated to the
Executive Head of Housing, in consultation with the s151 Officer,
to procure and enter contracts valued over £100,000 show in
Annexe 8

    
X.         
An
increase in inflation provision proposed within the Housing Revenue
Account budget of £48,207 to be funded by the
£159,459  increase in funding
guarantee grant as confirmed by the Department of Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities on 5 February 2024.