The Housing and Inclusive Economy Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for 28 January 2026 was set to discuss the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2026/27, including rent and service charge increases. Other key topics included an update on the management of the council's commercial and investment properties, a review of planning performance and enforcement, and the committee's forward plan and action tracker.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to review proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2026/27, which included planned increases to tenants' rents and service charges. The report indicated a proposed increase in HRA dwelling rents of 4.8%, aligning with the Regulator of Social Housing's (RSH) Rent Standard, which equates to an average weekly increase of £6.41. A new Rent and Service Charge Policy was also proposed, which would introduce an additional charge above formula rent of 5% for general needs accommodation and 10% for supported housing units when tenants move into new or existing properties.

Service charges for tenants were also set to be reviewed to reflect the full costs of services provided. Garage rents were proposed to increase by 4.8% for council tenants and resident leaseholders, and by 29% for other residents. Rents for shared ownership properties were to be increased in line with lease provisions, and rents and service charges for sheltered accommodation were proposed to rise by 4.8%.

For the Housing General Fund, temporary accommodation rent charges were proposed to increase by 14% above Local Housing Allowance (LHA) levels, and charges for travellers' sites were to increase by 4.8%. The report detailed the background to the HRA budget, including the requirement to maintain a separate HRA and the impact of national economic pressures and regulatory requirements on costs. It also outlined the proposed HRA Capital Programme for the next 10 years, detailing planned investment in property services, regeneration, and other schemes. The Rent Setting Policy, which governs how rents are calculated, was also provided. An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for the HRA budget and rent setting was also included, assessing the potential impact on protected characteristics.

Commercial and Investment Property Update

An update was scheduled on the current and proposed activities to improve the management of the council's commercial non-operational properties. This followed a restructure of the Commercial, Investment & Strategic Property team in 2025. The report highlighted closer collaboration with other departments, such as Area Regeneration, Housing, Planning, FM and Parks, to enhance the cultural and community benefit of new lettings. A focus on increasing total rental income by reducing vacancies and implementing outstanding rent reviews and lease renewals was also detailed, with a target to increase income by £1m by the end of 2026/27. The report also addressed issues such as vacant properties, squatters, meanwhile uses for vacant premises, outstanding rent reviews and lease renewals, and rent arrears. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for income, vacancies, arrears, and outstanding rent reviews and lease renewals were to be produced monthly.

Planning Performance and Enforcement

This report was set to provide an overview of planning performance, including timeliness of decisions, appeal outcomes, and planning enforcement. The council receives around 3,200 planning applications annually, generating significant income from planning fees and pre-application services. As of January 2026, there was a pipeline of 9,245 new homes to be delivered, with 32% designated as affordable. The report detailed the council's performance against government targets for the speed and quality of decision-making for major and minor applications, noting that performance was above the required thresholds. Information on appeal performance was also provided, indicating a high success rate in dismissing appeals. The report also covered the transfer of the Planning Enforcement function to the Place Directorate in July 2024, outlining improvements in service quality, efficiencies, and a reduction in open enforcement cases.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee was invited to review the Forward Plan for the ongoing municipal year and comment on the Action Tracker from the previous meeting. The Forward Plan outlines the committee's work programme, including statutory reports, major decisions, and policy areas of interest. The Action Tracker captures all actions required of officers by the committee, with updates on their progress. The report also detailed key decisions falling under the committee's remit that were scheduled to be taken by Cabinet in the upcoming period.

The meeting was scheduled to include a period for public speaking, allowing members of the public to speak on topics related to the Committee's work.