Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the HRA 30-year Financial Business Plan and budget for 2024/25 as set out in the report and attached appendices be approved; and

(b)       That consideration be given, in year, to utilise available reserves to top up the tenant hardship fund to a cap of £0.350m if required.

The Chief Officer (Housing and Communities) introduced a report  to present,  the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2024/25, the HRA Business Plan and the summary 30 year Financial Business Plan.

A joint presentation was given by the Chief Officer, Service Manager – Housing Assets, and Strategic Finance Manager which covered the following main points:

·         Welsh Government net zero carbon target for social housing

·         FCC pilot to achieve net zero carbon for social housing

·         Net zero carbon social housing – business case estimate

·         other Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023 Pressures

·         WHQS 2023 Investment

·         HRA Business Plan – Revenue Pressures and Efficiencies

·         Rents 2024/25

·         Rents – impact of setting rents lower than the Welsh Government rent cap

·         affordability

·         consultation

·         service charges

·         operational cost benchmarking

·         prudential borrowing

·         reserves

Councillor Sean Bibby thanked Officers for their presentation and spoke in support of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30 Year Financial Business Plan and the proposals.  He moved the recommendations in the report which were seconded by Councillor Helen Brown. 

Councillor Bernie Attridge also spoke in support of the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Richard Lloyd referred to Garage rents and service Charges (section 1.07 of the report) and commented on the proposal to increase the charge for garage plots by £0.05 per week which he felt was inadequate to cover the maintenance costs.  The Service Manager – Housing Assets,  provided clarification around the charges and proposals for maintenance of garage sites and explained that a review of the charges and stock condition was regularly undertaken.  He agreed to speak to Councillor Lloyd on any specific concerns following the meeting.

Councillor Richard Jones referred to the last sentence on page 18 of the report and suggested that the wording be amended to read: “that the majority of the HRA funding is devised from HRA income”.  

Councillor David Coggins-Cogan referred to section 1.06 of the report and  raised questions on Housing Benefit.  He also referred to section 1.07 and asked about the rate on lettings on garages.  In conclusion Councillor Coggins-Cogan queried the statistical data provided in the report and sought clarification on the number of contract holders.

The Chair raised a question concerning lighting within communities.

The Cabinet Member and Officers responded to the points raised. 

Having been moved and seconded, the following recommendations were put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the HRA 30-year Financial Business Plan and budget for 2024/25 as set out in the report and attached appendices be approved; and

(b)       That consideration be given, in year, to utilise available reserves to top up the tenant hardship fund to a cap of £0.350m if required.