Issue - meetings

HRA Budget 2022-23

Meeting: 10/02/2022 - Council (Item 5)

5 HRA Budget 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 291 KB

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Minutes:

It was noted that in accordance with council procedure rule 17.6, a recorded vote would be taken on the motion or any amendments and substantive motions.

 

It was proposed by Councillor D Saunders and seconded by the Leader, that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed, namely:

 

That Council approves:

1.  1. That the revised HRA budget estimates for 2022-23 are approved;

2.  2. That the revised Housing Revenue Account capital programmes (Annex 1) for

3.  2022-26 are approved;

4.  3. That the HRA business plan is noted.

5.  4. That the cap on leasehold insurance at £100 per annum is removed.

 

The Deputy Monitoring Officer conducted a recorded vote on the motion as follows:

 

49 Members voted in favour of the motion: Councillors Albon, Ara, Ashbee, Austin, Bambridge, J. Bayford, R. Bayford, Boyd, Braidwood, Coleman-Cooke, Crittenden, Currie, Dennis, Dexter, Duckworth, Everitt, Fellows, Garner, Gregory, Hart, Hopkinson, Huxley, Keen, Kup, Leys, Paul Moore, Ovenden, Parsons, L. Piper, S. Piper, Rattigan, Rawf, Rogers, Rusiecki, D. Saunders, M. Saunders, Savage, Scobie, Scott, Shonk, Shrubb, Smith, Tomlinson, Towning, Wallin, Whitehead, Wing, Wright, and Yates.

 

No Members voted against the motion.

 

No Members abstained from voting.

 

The Motion was carried.


Meeting: 18/01/2022 - Overview & Scrutiny Panel (Item 354)

354 HRA Budget 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 73 KB

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Minutes:

Councillor David Saunders introduced the report and made the following comments:

 

  • The budget was underpinned by the 4.1% in rent increase for 2022/23; most of which will cover by increased benefits and the Universal Credit payments;
  • Rent increase being proposed in the HRA budget was required to get a balanced and sustainable financial position for the HRA;
  • The increase was also required to fund HRA activities, particularly the house building programme and housing investment plan;
  • Cabinet would consider any views from the Panel.

 

There being no further discussion, Members noted the report.


Meeting: 13/01/2022 - Cabinet (Item 784)

784 HRA Budget 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 292 KB

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Minutes:

Members discussed the 2022/23 HRA budget which is underpinned by a 4.1% increase in rents in 2022/23. It is anticipated that the larger proportion of the rents will be covered by increased benefit or Universal Credit payments to council tenants.

 

This rent increase is needed to continue to drive the HRA to a balanced and sustainable financial position. This approach will also enable the council to finance the ambitious house building programme and housing investment plan.

 

Councillor Whitehead spoke under Council Procedure 20.1.

 

Councillor Saunders proposed, Councillor Bob Bayford seconded and Cabinet agreed the draft HRA Business Plan Strategic Priorities, as set out in paragraph 2.2 to the cabinet report. These are detailed below:

 

The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan sets out the main strategic priorities for investment in homes and services over the long term. The draft strategic priorities, set out below, were prepared as part of the review of HRA budgets ready for the launch of the new in-house service on 1 October 2020 and subsequently were the subject of consultation with representatives of the council’s tenants and leaseholders. This report now recommends that these draft strategic priorities are adopted: 

 

?  To maintain a Housing Revenue Account that is self-financing and reflects both the requirements of residents and the strategic visions and priorities of the council;

?  To provide opportunities for tenants and leaseholders to become involved in the management of their homes;

?  To provide safe, well maintained and energy efficient homes;

? To invest in long-term improvements to the council’s housing stock and provide homes that people choose to live in; 

?  To increase the council’s housing stock through programmes of new build and refurbishment;

?  To review the alternative options for homes that cannot be maintained to meet current and future standards;

?  To maintain a rent and charging policy that is both affordable for residents and ensures the resources needed for investment in homes and services; 

?  To maintain a minimum level of HRA reserves of £1m.