Agenda item

(a)       That the Committee supports the HRA budget for 2017/18 as set out in the business plan;

(b)       That the Committee supports a rent increase of 2.5% (plus up to or minus £2) as set out in the business plan with target rents applied for new tenancies;

(c)       That the Committee supports a garage rent increase of £1 per week and a garage plot rent increase of £0.20 per week; and

(d)       That Members support the proposed HRA Capital Programme for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix D.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) presented the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2017/18 and HRA business plan for consideration.  Any comments raised would be referred to Cabinet on 14 February 2017 before seeking approval by full Council on the same day.

A presentation by officers covered the following areas:

·         Self-financing

·         30 year business plan

·         Other income

·         Service charges 2017/18

·         HRA efficiency proposals

·         HRA investment decisions/cost pressures

·         HRA Capital Programme 2017/18

·         2017/18 budget

The Chief Officer gave a reminder of the aims within the business plan to continue to meet obligations within the Choices Document, and to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) by 2020.  On rent policy, she explained the basis of the proposals to increase rent by 2.5% plus up to £2 for 2017/18, along with weekly rent increases of £1 for garages and 20p for garage plots.  Any proposed changes to service charges would be determined following the outcome of public consultation due to start in June 2017.

On the Capital Programme for 2017/18, the Interim Senior Manager (Council Housing) explained that progress was on track to deliver the 200 new Council homes across the county over the next five years as part of the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP).

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin felt that the increase in garage rent was high and asked how many garages would be taken out of use.  Officers explained that this formed part of the environmental workstream to ensure the best use of garages and associated land by addressing under-occupation, poor condition and areas of high demand.  A balanced view was needed on garage rent as the amount currently set by the Council was low compared to some other authorities and was insufficient to cover major repairs/replacement.

In moving the proposals, Councillor George Hardcastle thanked the officer team for their work.

Councillor David Roney referred to previous comments on the benefits of installing solar panels on new housing developments.  The Chief Officer reaffirmed the commitment to include this within financial considerations for future schemes, but said that the effectiveness of solar panels depended on the positioning of the properties.  Councillor Aaron Shotton acknowledged the importance of energy efficiency measures and pointed out that solar panels had been installed at a range of sheltered accommodation across the county.  His suggestion to share information with the Committee on the Flintshire standard for new build homes was agreed by the Chief Officer.

On the SHARP programme, Councillor Hilary Isherwood spoke about the importance of building homes for lifetime use and exploring the most cost-effective methods of heating.  The Chief Officer said that the Flintshire standard for homes had been designed to accommodate various adaptations if needed in the future and that the most affordable heating options were used, particularly for rural areas where there was no access to mains gas.

Councillor Ian Dunbar said that consideration should be given to converting to gas heating due to the rising price of oil.  He also asked that thanks be extended to Gavin Griffith for his help on adaptations undertaken at a property in his ward.  In response to comments on the number of new houses to be built at the dairy site in Connah’s Quay, Councillor Helen Brown said that options for the site would be explored with the local Member.  On the first point, the Chief Officer said that the option remained open for tenants to switch to gas in areas with connections to gas mains.

During discussion on solar panels, Councillor Dolphin suggested that it may be helpful to show the payback over the period.

Councillor Paul Cunningham praised the investment in employment and training initiatives by the Council within SHARP.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee supports the HRA budget for 2017/18 as set out in the business plan;

(b)       That the Committee supports a rent increase of 2.5% (plus up to or minus £2) as set out in the business plan with target rents applied for new tenancies;

(c)       That the Committee supports a garage rent increase of £1 per week and a garage plot rent increase of £0.20 per week; and

(d)       That Members support the proposed HRA Capital Programme for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix D.