Decision details

That the Council be recommended to:

1.    Adopt the Business Plan set out at Appendix 1 to the report as the approved Housing Revenue Account Business Plan including:

a.    The revenue budget for 2022-2023 at Appendix 1 to the report.

b.    The Capital Programme for 2022-2023 to 2026-2027 at Appendix 2 to the report that includes the following among the proposed investment plans:

·       £118.7 million for new build development.

·       £42.6 million provision for estate remodelling.

·       £50.4 million to complete the refurbishment of the Heath Town estate.

·       £79.8 million for programmes to high rise estates to include fire safety improvements, infrastructure replacement, retrofitting of sprinklers and external works.

2.    Approve the implementation of an increase of 4.1% to social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 and to give 28 days notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent increase from 1 April 2022.

3.    Approve the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in Appendix 3 to the report and formally notifies tenants.

4.    Approve Management Allowances for Managing Agents as follows;

·       Wolverhampton Homes   - £40,460,000

·       Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board - £1,780,000

·       New Park Village Tenants Management Organisation - £395,000

·       Dovecotes Tenants Management Organisation - £1,148,000

That the Cabinetnotes:

1.    The issues raised during the consultation have been communicated to the managing agents and would also be provided to tenants as areas for possible tenant scrutiny during 2022-2023.

2.    From 1 April 2020 the Regulator of Social Housing has regulated social rents charged by Local Authorities. The Rent increase at 4.1% is chargeable in line with Government policy set out in the Rent Standard 2020.

3.    The Charter for Social Housing Residents: Social Housing White Paper (2020) sets out the principles for a new, fairer deal for social housing residents, focusing on the provision of safe and decent homes, resolving complaints, empowering tenants, tackling stigma and building new homes.

4.    The National Building Safety Programme of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Grenfell Inquiry pending its full outcomes, would impact upon future building safety planning. The Hackett Review 2018 makes recommendations for residential building safety and improvements to be considered as part of all future HRA asset management and improvement planning and the Building Safety Bill introduces regulation seeking greater assurance on the safety of multi-occupied buildings.

5.    Asset planning in 2022-2023 would look at the future management and asset planning for non-traditional homes, including high-rise homes.