Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 21, 2025

Purpose: The Cabinet will be asked to consider the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget and rent levels for Council properties for 2025/26 and also to approve the rolling 30-year HRA Business Plan setting out how the Council intends to fund its stock investment, estate regeneration and new build plans.

Content: Cabinet resolved to:   (i)  Agree that rents for all general needs secure, affordable and sheltered housing accommodation be increased by 2.7%, in line with the Government’s rent policy of CPI +1% (with CPI for September 2024 of 1.7% being used as the base), meaning an increase to the average rent for general needs from £117.31 per week to £120.48 per week;   (ii)  Agree the following service charges for tenants, taking effect from 1 April 2025:   Services Weekly Charges 2025/26 Increase / (Reduction) Basis of Increase Grounds Maintenance £3.25 £0.09 CPI+1% Caretaking £8.40 £0.37 Cost Recovery Cleaning £4.04 £0.18 Cost Recovery Estate Lighting £4.34 nil Cost Recovery Concierge £12.25 £0.32 CPI+1% CCTV (SAMS) £7.51 £0.20 CPI+1% Safer Neighbourhood Charge £0.64 £0.04 Cost Recovery TV Aerials £0.69 £0.02 CPI+1%   (iii)  Agree that charges for heating and hot water be reduced by 15% in line with decreases in the estimated charges for 2025/26 provided by suppliers as follows:   Property size Weekly Charge 2024/25 Weekly Charge 2025/26 Bedsit £27.89 £23.71 1 bedroom £29.82 £25.35 2 bedroom £36.11 £30.69 3 bedroom £36.78 £31.26 4 bedroom £37.74 £32.08   (iv)  Agree the HRA Income and Expenditure budget for 2025/26 and note the 2024/25 budget forecast, as detailed in section 3 of this report;   (v)  Agree a £29.521m capital programme for the HRA in 2025/26 and note the indicative four-year HRA capital programme detailed in section 4 of the report;   (vi)  Note the draft HRA 30-year business plan, as detailed in section 2 of the report, and the indicative 30-year financial forecasts as set out in Appendices A and B to the report; and   (vii)  Approve an additional £0.253m HRA capital funding in 2024/25 for the Mellish Close scheme, as detailed in paragraph 4.18 of the report.