Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee supports the HRA Budget for 2021/22 as set out in the appendices to the report;

(b)       That the Committee supports the proposed rent increase of up to 0.68% (plus up to £2);

(c)       That the Committee supports a garage rent increase of £0.20 per week and a garage plot increase of £0.03 per week;

(d)       That the Committee supports freezing for one year an increase in Service Charge recovery; and

(e)       That the Committee supports the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix C of the report.

The Committee received a report to consider the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2021/22 and the draft HRA 30 year Financial Business Plan.  The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) and Strategic Finance Manager gave a presentation covering:

·         Welsh Government Rent Policy

·         Proposed Rent Uplift 2021/22

·         Welsh Government - Wider Rental Agreement

·         Service Charges

·         Other Income

·         Invest to Save Proposal

·         Proposed Pressures and Efficiencies

·         Reserves

·         HRA Business Plan 2021/22

·         HRA Capital Investment

·         Capital Programme

·         Development of the revised WHQS

·         Capital Programme 2021/22

·         HRA Capital Funding 2021/22

The proposals set out in the report met requirements of the revised rent policy by Welsh Government (WG).  The proposed rent uplift for 2021/22 would ensure that no individual tenant paid more than the maximum allowed under the policy and progressed towards re-addressing the disparity between rents under and at target rent whilst seeking to make rent charges to all tenants more equitable.  The proposal to freeze service charges for 2021/22 at current rates would help to protect tenants, many of whom were experiencing financial difficulty from the emergency situation, and would allow for further work to be carried out to ensure services provided value for money.

On Capital Programme investment, the business plan would reflect the extended completion deadline of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) granted by WG as a result of the national emergency.  The model for decarbonisation was one of the areas under development.

In response to a question from the Chair, the Chief Officer referred to the investment strategy which helped to reduce the cost of energy in tenants’ homes.

The recommendations, which were amended to reflect the debate, were moved by Councillor Lloyd and seconded by Councillor Davies-Cooke.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee supports the HRA Budget for 2021/22 as set out in the appendices to the report;

(b)       That the Committee supports the proposed rent increase of up to 0.68% (plus up to £2);

(c)       That the Committee supports a garage rent increase of £0.20 per week and a garage plot increase of £0.03 per week;

(d)       That the Committee supports freezing for one year an increase in Service Charge recovery; and

(e)       That the Committee supports the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix C of the report.