Issue - meetings

That the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2022/23 as set out in the appendices be supported and approved.

The Chief Executive introduced a report to approve the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue and Capital budget for 2022/23, the HRA Business Plan and the summary 30-year Financial Business Plan as recommended by Cabinet.  The Chief Executive and Strategic Finance Manager (Corporate Finance) gave a presentation covering:

·         Welsh Government (WG) Rent Policy

·         Proposed Rent Uplift 2022/23

·         Welsh Government - Wider Rental Agreement

·         Service Charges

·         Other Income

·         Invest to Save Proposal

·         Proposed Pressures and Efficiencies

·         Reserves

·         HRA Business Plan 2022/23

·         HRA Capital Investment

·         Capital Programme

·         Development of the revised Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS)

·         Capital Programme 2022/23

·         HRA Capital Funding 2022/23

The proposed rent increase met requirements of the WG Rent Policy to consider affordability and value for money for tenants.  In 2020/21 it was agreed to delay the final phased increase in service charges, with a view to protecting tenants who may be experiencing financial difficulty as a result of Covid-19.  It was proposed that these increases be frozen again in 2022/23 due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic.  It was proposed that further work would be undertaken to ensure services provided were of a high standard, represented value for money and that the true costs reflected in the service charges calculations.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor Dave Hughes and seconded by Councillor Ian Dunbar.  Councillor Dunbar spoke in support of the Capital Programme which indicated that four schemes were due to start on site immediately which would provide an additional 77 properties to the housing stock. 

Councillor Ian Smith spoke in support of the proposed rent increase which he felt was not too high and tenants would welcome given the high rise in the cost of living and energy costs. 

Having been moved and seconded, the recommendation was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

That the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2022/23 as set out in the appendices be supported and approved.