Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report to consider the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for the 2013/14 financial year following consultation with the Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Tenants’ Federation.  She outlined the background to the proposals including a rental increase of 5.1% which was in line with Welsh Government guidelines.

The Head of Housing reassured Members that levels of efficiencies in the HRA were being maximised and that in response to concerns raised by the Tenants’ Federation on the proposed increased rental charge, assurances had been given that the additional income would significantly benefit works in the Capital Programme.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance commented on the significant response to the housing ballot in the previous year, the expectation to deliver the Choices document and exceeding the number of adaptations from that originally anticipated.  He also referred to the commitment to invest in additional resources to tackle anti-social behaviour in the county.

RESOLVED:

That the following be recommended to County Council:-

(a)       The proposed HRA budget for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix 1, incorporating the proposals for Service Improvements and Efficiencies in Appendix 2;

(b)       The level of rent charges for 2013/14 as set out in paragraphs 3.02 and 3.05;

(c)        The level of projected balances at 31^st March 2014 at 3.20% of total expenditure; and

(d)       The proposed HRA Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 3.