Issue - meetings

(a)       That the HRA budget and Business Plan for the financial year 2019/20, as set out in the report, be approved;

(b)       That the proposed rent increase of up to 2.4% (plus up to £2) 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

(d)       That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2019/20 as set out in appendix C of the report be approved

The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) introduced the report to approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2019/20, HRA Business Plan and the summary HRA 30 year Financial Business Plan. 

The Chief Officer reported on rents, as detailed in the report, and advised that the Minister had agreed that the annual uplift would be set at 2.4%.  He explained that where a social landlord’s average weekly rent was below their Target Rent Band and was required under the Rent Policy to be within the Target Rent Band the maximum amount they could increase an individual tenant’s weekly rent was 2.4% plus £2.  The decision would apply for one year only (2019-20) whilst awaiting the outcome of the Affordable Housing Supply review.

The Chief Officer also advised that the Business Plan and associated papers had been presented to the Tenants Federation which had been positive in supporting the programme and specifically around the capital works and the business plan.  He continued that the Community & Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee, at a meeting held on 23 January 2019, had also supported the HRA Business Plan and budget, the proposed rent increase of up to 2.4% (plus up to £2), a garage rent increase of £1 per week and a garage plot rent increase of £0.20 per week, and the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2019/20. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the HRA budget and Business Plan for the financial year 2019/20, as set out in the report, be approved;

(b)       That the proposed rent increase of up to 2.4% (plus up to £2) 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

(d)       That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2019/20 as set out in appendix C of the report be approved