Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.  

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced a report to consider the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget and the Revenue budget proposals for the 2013/14 financial year and the budget proposals for the HRA Capital Programme 2013/14.  She explained that a revised recommendation had been circulated for Members’ consideration. 

                        The Director of Community Services emphasised that the Capital expenditure financed from the revenue account (CERA) enabled additional investment in the HRA Capital Programme.   An investment of £5.195m had been included in the 2013/14 budget which was an increase of £0.758m on the 2012/13 budget and £1.960m on the 2011/12 budget. 

                        The Leader of the Council welcomed the positive report but asked Members to consider the inclusion of an additional recommendation that a letter be sent to the Minister for Housing expressing the Council’s wish that the rent convergence policy for tenants should be postponed again during 2013/14 due to the difficult economic circumstances. 

            RESOLVED:

            That the following be approved and recommended to Council:-

i.          the proposed HRA for 2013/14 as set out in appendix 1, incorporating the proposals in appendix 2 and the Service Improvements and Efficiencies in appendix 3; 

ii.         the level of rent for 2013/14 as set out in paragraph 3.01, subject to receipt of the final HRAS item 8 determinations from Welsh Government;

iii.        the proposed revised approach and timing for setting annual service charges as set out in paragraph 3.16

iv.        the level of projected balances at 31 March 2014 at 3.20% of total expenditure

v.         the proposed HRA Capital Programme as set out in appendix 4

vi.        that a letter be sent to the Minister for Housing expressing the Council’s wish that the rent convergence policy for tenants should be postponed again during 2013/14 due to difficult economic circumstances.