Agenda item

To receive a report on Cabinet recommendations referred to Council in relation to the revenue budget proposals 2022/23 for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Portfolio Holder for Council Homes and Landlord Services introduced the report. In doing so, Members were informed that rents would be increased by 4.1%, this is so that the Council is able to continue to invest in the housing stock, especially considering the current level of inflation. Also, it was stated that the Council would provide advice to tenants suffering hardship.

Members were informed that the Council would continue to meet and maintain the decent homes standard; improve the condition of homes and improve the environment of where homes are located. This would be done through engagement with tenants.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the HRA Business Plan would be considered by Scrutiny in March and then tabled at Council in April. The Portfolio Holder thanked all Officers who had worked on the budget and improving the performance of the service.

Councillor de Burle seconded the motion.

During the debate the following points were noted:

• The Leader stated his intention of supporting the recommendations of the report.
• The Portfolio Holder and the Director for Housing and Communities were congratulated on work done in improving the service.
• Councillor Evans noted that half the budget had not been spent and highlighted the importance of spending available funds on improving homes.
• Councillor Higgins stated that the budget should be spent wisely and directed to where it is most required and not just spent because it is there.
• It was noted that, through the work of Officers, the service had improved and a range of initiatives have been implemented, however the challenge now was to make further improvements and also to tackle fuel poverty. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the Council had a range of measures to tackle fuel poverty.
• The Scrutiny Committee Chairman informed Members, that Scrutiny had scrutinised both revenue and capital budgets. Members were reassured that Scrutiny would continue to address the underspend and would soon receive the HRA Business Plan to scrutinise.
• The visit to the Fairmead estate by the Leader, the Portfolio Holder and Officers was commended.
• A Member recognised that the Housing stock was improving.
• A query was raised in regards to the installation of electric showers and water metres in Council properties. The Portfolio Holder responded by stating that electric showers were being installed, however tenants were encouraged to consider the implications of installing water meters before doing so.

RESOLVED

Council

1. Approved the budget estimates for 2022-23;
2. Approved an average rent increase of 4.10% for all Council dwellings for 2022-23 with effect from 1 April 2022;
3. Approved the working balance is maintained at the minimum balance of £750,000 and any residual amounts be transferred to the Regeneration & Development Reserve as approved in February 2020 when the budget was set for 2021-22;
4. Subject to an amendment to the estimates to allow for the freezing of IHMS charges, approved that any resulting reduction of income be funded by the Regeneration & Development Reserve in order to maintain the £750k working balance as detailed at 2.2.3 of the report at Appendix 1.
5. Approved the 2022-23 capital programme.

The above resolution was voted for as follows:

FOR THE MOTION (23)

Bindloss, Browne, Chandler, Child, Cumbers, de Burle, Douglas, Evans, Faulkner, Fisher, Freer, Glancy, Graham, Higgins, Holmes, Illingworth, Orson, Posnett, Pritchett, Smith, Steadman, Webster, Wilkinson.

AGAINST THE MOTION (0)

ABSTAINING FROM THE MOTION (0)