Issue - meetings

(a)       That the HRA budget for 2018/19 and Business Plan be approved as set out in the appendices;

(b)       That the option of setting a rent increase for 2018/19 be approved at 3% (plus or minus £2), with target rents applied for new tenancies, as a more affordable increase that the Welsh Government rent Policy formula which would set an increase of 4.5% (plus or minus £2);

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

(d)       That the proposed HRA Capital Programme for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix C be approved.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) presented the final proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue and Capital budget for the 2018/19 financial year, including proposed rent increases agreed by Cabinet.  Copies of the full recommendations from Cabinet were circulated.

The Chief Officer and Housing Asset Manager gave a presentation covering the following:

·         30 year business plan - HRA

·         2017/18 outcomes

o   Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS)

o   Council house building programme

o   Performance

·         HRA Budget 2018/19

·         Other income

·         Service Charges 2018/19

·         HRA efficiency proposals/cost pressures

·         HRA Capital Programme 2018/19

The Cabinet recommendations were moved by Councillor Attridge who explained that the proposed 3% rent increase for 2018/19 - lower than the limit set by Welsh Government (WG) - was due to remodelling work by the Council to establish a more affordable level for tenants.

In seconding the proposal, Councillor Aaron Shotton welcomed the additional investment in the Council house building programme and referred to concerns about the increasing number of individuals affected by the rollout of Universal Credit and the impact on rent arrears.

Councillor Owen Thomas spoke about the importance of ensuring value for money on the use of contractors.

As Chairman of the Community & Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Dunbar expressed his thanks to the Chief Officer and spoke in support of the Cabinet recommendations which provided further investment in the Council house building programme.

Councillor Peers referred to an anomaly in the planning system which meant that affordable housing provision was not being maximised by some developers.  Councillor Butler said that officers had reported that this issue across Wales had been addressed.  He went on to describe the Council house building programme as being “the pride of Wales”.

Councillor Roberts expressed thanks to the Chief Officer and her team for the redevelopment of Flint and the installation of sprinkler systems in the high-rise flats.  He paid tribute to the shift in officer culture to provide quality services to residents.

In summing up, Councillor Attridge thanked Members for their positive comments and would follow up those on the use of contractors.

On being put to the vote, the Cabinet recommendations were carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the HRA budget for 2018/19 and Business Plan be approved as set out in the appendices;

(b)       That the option of setting a rent increase for 2018/19 be approved at 3% (plus or minus £2), with target rents applied for new tenancies, as a more affordable increase that the Welsh Government rent Policy formula which would set an increase of 4.5% (plus or minus £2);

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

(d)       That the proposed HRA Capital Programme for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix C be approved.