Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Hughes introduced the report which was an operational update on 2020/21 year end housing rent income collection performance for housing, including the 2021/22 latest collection position.

            The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) explained that the outturn for 2020/21 resulted in rent arrears of £1.854m compared to £1.815m in the previous year, an increase in arrears of £39k.  The data was positive when contrasted against earlier predictions for rent arrears for the service throughout the last twelve months, particularly at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted on the ability of some tenants to pay on time.

            He also provided information on the introduction of the Breathing Space scheme in England and Wales from May 2021 which was a welcome step as it would provide tenants in debt with a 60 day period of legal protections from their creditors, including what tenants owed in housing rent.  The protections included pausing most enforcement action and contact from creditors.

RESOLVED:

That the report be supported, noting the £1.854m year-end position for rent arrears in 2020/21.