Decision Maker: Executive Board

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 21, 2025

Purpose: To seek Members’ agreement on the budget for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2025/26, approve the resulting rent levels and for Members to approve the HRA Business Plan 2025/26 for submission to Welsh Government (WG)

Content: RESOLVED -   (i)         That Wrexham continues to use a Target Rent for each type of property applying 2.7% to current target rents for 2025/26.   (ii)       That for properties that are below the Target Rents for 2025/26 – an increase of rent of 2.7%.   (iii)      That for properties at or above the Target Rents for 2025/26 – no rent increase.   (iv)      That an increase of 2.7% for garage rent to £9.98 (48 week basis)   (v)       That an increase of 2.7% for garage plots (annual charge £66.14).   (vi)      That an increase of 2.7% for warden charge to £4.18 per week.   (vii)     That an increase of 2.7% for charges for Travellers’ plots to £105.10 and £124.35 per week for larger plots (52 week basis).   (viii)    That the HRA budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 to report COH/01/25 be approved.   (ix)      That the HRA Business Plan 2025/26 for submission to Welsh Government (Appendix 5) be approved.   (x)       That this matter be dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Section 5 (Rule 5.8.10) of the Council’s Constitution.   Reasons for decisions   (i)        To set the overall rent levels of Council house dwellings for 2025/26 in accordance with the WG rent policy and ensure that the HRA operates with appropriate levels of balance.   (ii)       To comply with WG’s requirement to produce an annual HRA Business Plan and demonstrate that there is sufficient budget to continue to undertake planned works to ensure that all properties are maintained to the appropriate standard for tenants.   (iii)      This matter is to be dealt with as an urgent item in order to ensure that the revised rent is implemented with effect from April 2024. There is a requirement under Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 that two months’ notice of a rent increase is given to contract holders. Any delay in serving the notice could impact on the start date of the revised rent with a detrimental impact on the HRA for 2025/26.