Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Brown introduced the Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2017/18 & Capital Programme 2017/18 report.

            The HRA was required to produce a 30 year business plan with a focus on the achievement of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), Choices document promises, ongoing efficiencies made and 200 new Council homes being built.  The longer term picture showed a strong account with surplus income over expenditure needs which presented opportunities to do more to improve service delivery, provided reassurance that once achieved, the WHQS could be maintained, and could provide further capital funding for new builds.

            A rent increase of 2.5% (plus up to or minus £2) per week was being recommended as was a garage rent increase of £1 per week and a garage plot rent increase of £0.20 per week.

            £20m had been built into the WHQS and Asset Investment Programme for 2017/18 which included provision for internal work streams, external enveloping works, environmental programmes, fire risks and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) works, asbestos, off gas and energy efficiency works.  In addition, £7,704 of prudential borrowing had been budgeted in 2017/18 for Council housing building schemes.

            Councillor Shotton said this was a momentous year for Flintshire with the progress on the new build schemes and the investment in the current housing stock.  Councillor Attridge concurred and said a commitment had been given in 2012 to build new Council houses and that had now come to fruition. The homes were much needed and he received compliments on the scheme in Connah’s Quay on a daily basis.

            The Chief Executive said that the commitment in the Choices document had been honoured but the Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) continued to be a risk MRA as its long term continuity as core capital funding was not assured at a national level.

            Councillor Brown commented on the Flintshire Standard and that the new build scheme in Connah’s Quay had exceeded the expectations of tenants.

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That the HRA budget for 2017/18 as set out in the business plan be approved and recommended to Council;

(b)       That 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 be approved;

(c)        That a garage rent increase of £1 per week and a garage plot rent increase of £0.20 per week be approved and recommended to Council; and

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