Agenda item

That the Council approve the recommendations of Cabinet from its meeting held on 14 February 2017 as set out in the report attached to the Council report. 

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) introduced the report on the final proposals for the HRA Revenue and Capital budget for the 2017/18 financial year, including proposed rent increases which were considered by the Cabinet at a meeting held prior to County Council today. 

                        The Chief Officer and Acting Finance and Accountancy Manager gave a joint presentation which covered the following key areas:

·         content

·         self financing

·         30 year business plan

·         Housing Revenue Account

·         other income

·         service charges 2017/18

·         HRA efficiency proposals

·         HRA investment decisions/cost pressures

·         HRA capital Programme 2017/18

·         funding for HRA capital programme 2017/18

·         council house building programme

Councillor Helen Brown thanked Members for their work in scrutiny of the HRA Capital Programme and also expressed thanks to the Tenants and Residents Association for their work and input.

Councillor Paul Shotton, referred to the Welsh Quality Housing Standard (WQHS) 2012 and commented on the aspiration to build 200 new council homes in five years.  He cited the building of new council homes in Connah’s Quay, Flint, Mold and Leeswood, which he said set an example to Wales and the United Kingdom.  Councillor Paul Cunningham also congratulated the Council on the work and foresight in building council homes in Flintshire.  Councillor Andy Dunbobbin reiterated the views expressed by Councillors Shotton and Cunningham and expressed his thanks to the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) for the excellent work carried out.

Councillor Aaron Shotton spoke of the Council’s record investment in its council housing stock; both existing and rebuild.  He also referred to the WQHS investment improvements and the environmental and exterior works and the impact that the improvements would have for the benefit of Flintshire residents and communities.  He referred to the £7m investment in new council house build and the aspiration to build 200 new council homes in the next few years and the need to lobby the national government to lift the borrowing cap on the number of new homes which the Council could build.  He spoke of the clear demand for council houses locally and at national level and the impact on people’s lives and welfare.

Councillor Richard Lloyd thanked Councillor Helen Brown and Officers for the improvement works undertaken in his Ward.  He raised the issue of garage plots which he said had been neglected and needed to be addressed.

In response to a concern raised by Councillor Clive Carver the Chief Officer provided clarification on the costs arising concerning water rates commission, and court costs.

Councillor Marion Bateman asked how many Flintshire owned properties for senior residents were sited on unadopted roads and commented on the Council’s duty of care.  The Chief Officer explained that there were a number of unadopted roads on Flintshire estates which were a challenge due to the cost of maintenance and adoption and said she would provide further information to Councillor Bateman on this matter following the meeting. 

Councillor Neville Phillips raised a query around service charges and asked if the charge included the cleaning of windows.  The Chief Officer explained that one of the reasons for not proposing any further service charges was because there was further consultation and work to be undertaken around service charges with tenants.  She advised that there was a charge for new tenants for window cleaning but not for existing tenants.

RESOLVED:

That the Council approve the recommendations of Cabinet from its meeting held on 14 February 2017 as set out in the report attached to the Council report.