Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Housing

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder/Housing Portfolio Holder

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.  He felt that it was a good budget that built on the current year’s performance which had managed to generate a potential surplus of £2.5 million largely as a result of improved performance in letting empty properties.  He commented that the 1% rent reduction in accordance with the Work and Welfare Reform Act 2016 had been incorporated which was great for tenants.  Overall he was very pleased with the proposals to deliver a balanced budget and the performance of the service.

Councillor R Blunt commented on the improvement of the performance of the housing service over recent years under a challenging Government agenda, especially since the appointment of the Director of Housing.  He believed it was a HRA budget to be proud of and he appreciated the work of the Portfolio Holder.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)       The Assurance Statement by the Deputy Section 151 Officer be noted.

b)       The Draft HRA Budget Proposal as detailed within the report and associated appendices be approved for consultation.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to set a balanced Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2017/18.