Issue - meetings

The Revenue Budget Proposals 2025/26 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) are to be presented to the Committee, prior to final consideration by Cabinet and Council in February 2025.

All appendices are draft and are correct at the time of publication.

The Director for Corporate Services, Dawn Garton, introduced the report with a presentation.

A concern was raised that Independent Living Charge would be increased by 5%, however the decision hasn’t been justified and the report refers to a Council policy. Members asked that clarity be provided outside of the meeting.

Concerns were raised regarding errors in billing for extra charges and the possibility that there are other errors yet to be uncovered. Members were reassured that there are checks and balances and steps have been taken to mitigate the errors.

A discussion ensued regarding the energy efficiency scheme that the Council have put in a bid for funding. The comment was raised that flats require insulation too, however it was explained that the funding, if the bid is successful, would address issues in 80 of the worst properties in the housing stock. If the flats are one of the 80 worst, then they would be improved with the funding.

A query was raised regarding void repairs, however in response it was clarified that costs are not initially known when a property becomes void. Occasionally an amount is budgeted which in hindsight is not sufficient.

RESOLVED

That the report is NOTED and Members’ comments are presented to Cabinet at the next Cabinet meeting.