The Gospel Oak District Management Committee (DMC) met on Thursday 27 November 2025 to discuss the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2026/27 and the Gospel Oak DMC's own budget. The meeting also received an update on tenant engagement activities.

HRA Rent and Budget Setting 2026/27

The committee received a report outlining the challenging financial climate facing the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and proposals for the 2026/27 budget. The report highlighted an anticipated overspend of £7.3m for the 2025/26 financial year, primarily due to increased costs in repairs and mechanical and electrical maintenance. Officers noted that HRAs nationally are struggling due to changes in the self-financing model and the absence of central government funding for new burdens.

A key point of discussion was the proposed rent increase for 2026/27. Under the current rent standard, rents can increase by up to Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1%. With CPI at 3.8% for September 2025, this would mean a maximum increase of 4.8%, generating an estimated £8.1m for the HRA. This would result in an average increase of £7.04 per week for a two-bedroom property. The report also detailed potential rent increases if rent convergence measures, which allow rents below a formula rent to increase further, are implemented by the government. Depending on whether this convergence is £1 or £2 per week, average rents could increase by 5.5% or 6.0% respectively.

Service charges for tenants were also discussed, with proposed increases for caretaking, communal lighting, CCTV, communal mechanical and electrical maintenance, grounds maintenance, and responsive housing patrols. The grounds maintenance service is being brought in-house, leading to a proposed 10% increase in tenant service charges for this specific service.

The report also outlined proposed savings, including a £2 per week increase for garage rents for tenants and leaseholders, and an 11% increase for commercial garage rents, expected to generate £0.1m. A reduction in the bad debt provision budget by £0.9m was also proposed due to strong performance from the rent recovery team.

The committee was informed that a further report would be presented to the Joint DMC and Cabinet in January 2026, detailing a balanced HRA budget for 2026/27, which would require approval of rent and service charge levels.

Gospel Oak DMC Budget

The committee received an update on the Gospel Oak DMC budget for 2025/2026. The total budget for the financial year was £151,040.00, with £3,740.00 of bids approved to date, leaving a balance of £147,300.00 available. There were no new bids submitted for consideration at this meeting.

However, a request was made to address a VAT shortfall of £3,250.28 for a previously approved bid to Dunboyne Road TRA for the installation of Metro Bins. The committee was reminded that the original sum of £27,979.00 did not include VAT.

Officers also advised that they were working with DMC Chairs to develop a new bid protocol to clarify processes, ensure consistency, and assess bid effectiveness. This revised protocol was expected to be available by the June 2026 cycle of meetings.

Tenant Engagement Report Quarter 2, 2025/26

The committee received a report summarising insights and recommendations from tenant engagement activities and forums supported by Housing and Property Services. The report highlighted resident feedback from Neighbourhood Action Days, Annual General Meetings of Tenants' and Residents' Associations (TRAs), a Building Safety Consultation Event, a Sheltered Housing Forum, and the Gospel Oak DMC meeting itself.

Key findings indicated that residents' primary motivations for attending engagement events were to voice opinions and concerns, resolve housing or repairs enquiries, and connect with their community. Overall, 77% of respondents reported enjoying the activities, with Neighbourhood Action Days and TRA AGMs proving particularly effective in increasing residents' opportunities to influence decision-making and fostering a sense of community connection.

Suggestions for improvement included offering Neighbourhood Action Days more frequently, providing access to council organisation charts online, increasing the range of services present at these events (including police presence), and ensuring clearer agendas and introductory information at TRA AGMs.

The report also detailed applications received for the Special Projects Grant and the District Management Committee Fund, which support community events, projects, and improvements. Examples of Stories of Impact were shared, including the development of tailored Building Safety Information Packs and the success of Neighbourhood Action Days in facilitating resident feedback and access to council services.