Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22.

RECOMMENDATION that Council approve:

1)           the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2021/22 (Appendix A);

2)           Council house dwelling rents be increased by up to 1.50% effective from April 2021 in line with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2015;

3)           Garage rents to be increased by 1.16% effective from April 2021 in line with Council’s general fees and charges;

4)           Shared Equity Rents to be increased by 1.13% based on September RPI, effective from April 2021;

5)           Tenant Service Charges to be set based on cost recovery;

6)           the Housing Major Repairs (capital) programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix B;

7)           Sheltered room guest charges for 2021/22 remain unchanged at £9.50 per night per room.

It was proposed by John Halsall and seconded by John Kaiser that the Housing Revenue Account Budget 2021/22 as set out in Agenda pages 47 to 56, be approved.

Prior to the vote being held, six Members, in accordance with Rule 4.2.15.5, requested that a recorded vote be taken on the proposal.

The voting was as follows:

Following the vote, the Mayor confirmed that the proposal was approved.

RESOLVED That Council approve:

1)     the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22 (Appendix A);

2)     Council house dwelling rents be increased by up to 1.5%, effective from April 2021, in line with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2015;

3)     Garage rents be increased by 1.16%, effective from April 2021, in line with the Council’s general Fees and Charges;

4)     Shared Equity Rents to be increased by 1.13%, based on September RPI, effective from April 2021;

5)     Tenant Service Charges to be set based on cost recovery;

6)     The Housing Major Repairs (Capital) programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix B;

7)     Sheltered room guest charges for 2021/22 remain unchanged at £9.50 per night per room.

That Council be recommended to approve:

1)              the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2021/22 (Appendix A);

2)              that Council house dwelling rents be increased by up to 1.50% effective from April 2021 in line with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2015;

3)              Garage rents to be increased by 1.16% effective from April 2021 in line with Council’s general fees and charges;

4)              Shared Equity Rents to be increased by 1.13% based on September RPI, effective from April 2021;

5)              Tenant Service Charges to be set based on cost recovery;

6)              the Housing Major Repairs (capital) programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix B;

7)              Sheltered room guest charges for 2021/22 remain unchanged at £9.50 per night per room.

The Executive considered a report setting out a proposed Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22.

During his introduction the Executive Member for Finance and Housing explained that the Housing Revenue Account was a ringed fenced fund and reminded the meeting that previously the Council had decided, because it was felt that the Council was better placed to administer and maintain these properties, that it would retain its social housing rather than pass them over to a registered provider.

Councillor Kaiser also reported that during the last year, whilst in the middle of the Covid pandemic, the Council had managed to carry out all major repairs that were required to these properties and the vast majority of the repairs that had been scheduled for the year.

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to approve:

1)              the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2021/22 (Appendix A);

2)              that Council house dwelling rents be increased by up to 1.50% effective from April 2021 in line with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2015;

3)              Garage rents to be increased by 1.16% effective from April 2021 in line with Council’s general fees and charges;

4)              Shared Equity Rents to be increased by 1.13% based on September RPI, effective from April 2021;

5)              Tenant Service Charges to be set based on cost recovery;

6)              the Housing Major Repairs (capital) programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix B;

7)              Sheltered room guest charges for 2021/22 remain unchanged at £9.50 per night per room.