Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N Rushton presented the report, setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2021/22. The report requested Cabinet note the Assurance Statement of the Section 151 Officer and recommend Council’s approval for the proposed rents and charges, and the HRA Budget for 2021/22.

It was noted that since consideration of the draft HRA Budget on 8 December 2020, the projected surplus had reduced by roughly £200,000 to a projected balanced position with a £35,000 surplus. This was resulting from a number of areas in the report where expenditures would increase. It was noted and welcomed that the planned £13 million for redemption of maturity loans remained.

Members spoke in support of the proposals and welcomed the seeking of feedback from the Tenant Scrutiny Panel, the Tenant and

Leaseholder Consultation Forum, and the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. It was highlighted that all tenants had been invite to respond to the consultation on the draft budget through the monthly magazine InTouch, and as there had only been two responses, this suggested an overall satisfaction with the services provided.

A discussion was also held regarding the overall fall in complaints and demand for repairs. In addition to the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic identified in the report, it was suggested that greater investment in recent years had led to better quality housing and therefore greater tenant satisfaction. 

It was moved by Councillor N Rushton, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT

1)    Cabinet note the assurance statement by the S151 officer;

2)    Council be recommended to approve the following changes to rents and charges for 2021/22:

a. Increase Council House rents by up to 1.5%, as set out in the Draft Budget in December.

b. Reduce Fees and Charges by an average of 3.1% as set out in Appendix C,

c. Reduce Service Charges by an average of 3.5% as set out in Appendix D.

3)    Council be recommended to approve the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22 as summarised in Appendix A.

Reason for decision: To enable the Council to set a balanced Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2020/21.