Agenda item

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30 Year Financial Business Plan

Decision:

That the recommendations from Cabinet on 16 February 2021 be approved:

(a) That Council supports the HRA Budget for 2021/22 as set out in the appendices to the report;

(b) That Council supports and approves the rent increase of up to 0.68% (plus up to £2);

(c) That Council supports and approves a garage rent increase of £0.20 per week and a garage plot increase of £0.03 per week;

(d) That Council supports and approves freezing for one year an increase in Service Charge recovery; and

(e) That Council supports and approves the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendix C to the report.

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) introduced a report to approve the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue and Capital budget for 2021/22, the HRA Business Plan and the summary 30-year Financial Business Plan as recommended by Cabinet. The Chief Officer and Strategic Finance Manager (Corporate Finance) gave a presentation covering:

· Welsh Government (WG) Rent Policy

· Proposed Rent Uplift 2021/22

· Welsh Government - Wider Rental Agreement

· Service Charges

· Other Income

· Invest to Save Proposal

· Proposed Pressures and Efficiencies

· Reserves

· HRA Business Plan 2021/22

· HRA Capital Investment

· Capital Programme

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

· Capital Programme 2021/22

· HRA Capital Funding 2021/22

The proposed rent increase met requirements of the WG Rent Policy to consider affordability and value for money for tenants. The delayed final phased increase towards achieving full cost recovery of service charges would help to protect tenants during the emergency situation and to allow for further work to ensure high quality services. An update on the Capital Programme indicated that 447 properties had been delivered to date through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) and a further 148 units outside SHARP creating additional capacity in the housing market in Flintshire.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Dave Hughes who commended the delivery of housing services despite the challenges of the emergency situation. He said that the proposed rent increase was the lowest set by the Council for five years and that the ambitious Capital Programme would ensure continued investment in the Council house building programme.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Ian Dunbar who paid tribute to the work of the Chief Officer and his team, and the support of the Community, Housing and Assets Overview & Scrutiny of which he was Chair.

Councillor Chris Bithell welcomed the report and in particular, the delivery of 595 housing units and maintenance of WHQS levels to meet the needs of local people.

In response to questions from Councillor Richard Jones, officers provided clarification on the impact of the review of garage sites.

Also speaking in support, Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed capital spend and partnership working on homeless accommodation.

The Chief Officer responded to Councillor Mike Peers’ question on the approach to the next phase of SHARP housing schemes. In response to further questions, the Strategic Finance Manager provided information on the repairs and maintenance budget and reinvestment into the Capital Programme including commuted sums.

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

RESOLVED: