Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Finance

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder and the Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members along with the additional information that had been circulated prior to the meeting and advised them that following direction the authority needed to decrease its rents by 1%, therefore the budget had been written to meet these objectives. He drew Members attention to the update that had been provided which clarified that supported and sheltered properties would be exempt from the 1% rent reduction and this would provide an extra gross rent income of £63,000 for just the 2016/17 year. He advised that the business plan was being worked on following the information received and it would be reflected in the report to Council. He proposed the recommendations in the report along with an additional recommendation in the update sheet to increase the rent for sheltered and supported properties. 

Councillor N J Rushton stated that the extra gross rent income of£63,000 would be essential to help with the future risks and that Councillor R D Bayliss and the housing team had done a good job with the account.

Councillor R Blunt thanked Councillor R D Bayliss and the Director of Housing for the professionalism and swiftness that they had managed to provide the update to Cabinet.

Councillor T J Pendleton stated that the update that had been provided exemplified the work that officers do.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

A.    The assurance statement by the S151 Officer be noted,

B.   Council be recommended to:

1.    Approve that council house rents in 2016/17 be decreased by 1% (average decrease £0.83 per week).

2.    Approve the increase of 0.8% (average increase 5 pence per week) in garage rents for 2016/17.

3.    Approve central heating charges for 2016/17 remaining at the same level as for 2015/16.

4.    Approve the average increase of 4.92% (16 pence per week) in the   weekly service charge for 2016/17.

5.    Approve the ground rent increase at Appleby Magna Caravan Site of 0.8% (24 pence per week) on the anniversary of each individual rent agreement in 2016/17.

6.    Approve the lifeline charges increase of 0.8% (34 pence per quarter) from         April 2016.

7.    Approve the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2016/17 attached as appendix A

8.     Approve the rent increase of 0.9% (average £0.62 per week) for sheltered and supported housing.

Reason for decision: To enable the Council to set the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2016/17.