Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 25, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Council (26 voting in favour, 7 voting against, 0 abstaining from voting) considered the report and:   Housing Revenue Account (HRA): Revenue   (a)  Approved the HRA revenue budget for 2025/2026 as shown in the HRA Budget Summary as presented at Appendix A to the report.   HRA: Review of Rents and Charges   (b)  Approved that council dwelling rents for all social rented properties were increased by 2.7%, recognising that inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) at September 2024, plus 1% results in an increase of 2.7%.   (c)   Approved that affordable rents (inclusive of service charge) were also increased by 2.7% in line with the increase for social rents.   (d)  Approved that rents for affordable shared ownership properties were increased by 4.0%, recognising that inflation measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI) at December 2024 plus 0.5% results in an increase of 4.0%.   (e)  Approved that garage rents were increased by 2.7% in line with the increase for social rents.   (f)    Approved that Council dwelling rents for properties with an EPC rating of A or B were increased to 105% of target rent on re-let.   (g)  Approved the proposed service charges for HRA services and facilities provided to both tenants and leaseholders, as shown in Appendix D to the report.   The Council (33 voting in favour, 0 voting against, 0 abstaining from voting) further:   HRA: Capital   (a)  Approved the required level of funding for new build investment between 2025/2026 and 2029/2030 to ensure that commitments could be met in respect of the investment of all right to buy receipts currently retained or anticipated to be received by the authority for this period. This expenditure would take the form of HRA new build, with the 60% top up met by other HRA resources.   (b)    Approved the HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy forecasts as shown in Appendix B to the report.   (c)    Approved the Housing Capital Programme as shown in Appendix C to the report.