Issue - meetings

[To consider the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan]

1.     That the 1% reduction in social housing rents be implemented in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from the 3 April 2017.

2.     That the business plan be adopted as set out at appendix A within the report, as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3 within the report;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 within the report, including the increased new build programme.

3.     That the rates for garage rents and service charges be agreed as set out in appendices B1-B3 within the report and formally notify tenants.

4.     That it be agreed from April 2017 all new tenancies can start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented a report on the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan. The report also provided, as an integral part of that business plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2017/18, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 3 April 2017, and a proposed HRA capital programme for the period 2017/18 to 2020/21.

Councillor Peter Bilson proposed and Councillor Andrew Johnson seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Wendy Thompson stated the tenants would be grateful for the 1% reduction in social housing and there were no issues with the financial implications. She queried whether the Council was exploring the option of developing other traded companies for instance in education or other areas.

Councillor Andrew Johnson responded that the Council was constantly looking at trading venture opportunities which would benefit the residents of Wolverhampton. The Council had already set up a number of traded companies such as WV living, Yoo Recruit, WV Active etc. and was in the process of exploring a energy company and other small initiatives as well as in education.      

Resolved:

1.     That the 1% reduction in social housing rents be implemented in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from the 3 April 2017.

2.     That the business plan be adopted as set out at appendix A within the report, as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3 within the report;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 within the report, including the increased new build programme.

3.     That the rates for garage rents and service charges be agreed as set out in appendices B1-B3 within the report and formally notify tenants.

4.     That it be agreed from April 2017 all new tenancies can start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

[To consider the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan]

That Council be recommended to:

1.     Implement the 1% reduction in social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from 3 April 2017.

2.     Adopt the business plan set out at appendix A as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 including the increased new build programme.

3.     Agree the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in appendices B1-B3 and formally notify tenants.

1.     That it be noted, that all Council dwelling rents will reduce by 1% in line with the proposals contained in the Welfare Reform and Work Act.

2.     That it be noted, that consultation responses are outlined within Appendix C of the report.

3.     That proposals to meet the requirements of the Heat Network Regulations 2014 for the district heating schemes at Heath Town be noted.

4.     That the potential impact of the further implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 on the HRA business Plan be noted.

5.     That additional £15 million programmed in 2020/21 for further infill council housing development be noted.

Councillor Peter Bilson presents an updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan for recommendation to Full Council. It was noted that an amendment was required at appendix A1 all three tables needed to be updated to amend the figures in the second column to thousands.

The report also provided, as an integral part of that business plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2017/18, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 3 April 2017, and a proposed HRA capital programme for the period 2017/18 to 2020/21 for recommendation to full Council.

An additional recommendation was proposed to Cabinet, that from April 2017 all new tenancies could start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

That Council be recommended to:

1.     Implement the 1% reduction in social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and to give 28 days’ notice to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from 3 April 2017.

2.     Adopt the business plan set out at appendix A (all three tables at A1 to be updated to amend the figures in the second column to thousands) as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a)    The revenue budget for 2017/18 at Appendix A3;

b)    The capital programme for 2017/18 to 2020/21 at Appendix A4 including the increased new build programme.

3.     Agree the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in appendices B1-B3 and formally notify tenants.

4.     Agree that from April 2017 all new tenancies can start on any day of the week to reduce void times, increase rental income and protect properties from potential anti-social behaviour.

5.     That it be noted, that all Council dwelling rents would be reduced by 1% in line with the proposals contained in the Welfare Reform and Work Act.

6.     That it be noted, that the consultation responses were outlined within Appendix C of the report.

7.     That it noted, proposals to meet the requirements of the Heat Network Regulations 2014 for the district heating schemes at Heath Town be noted.

8.     That the potential impact of the further implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 on the HRA business Plan be noted.

9.     That an additional £15 million be programmed in 2020/21 for further infill council housing development be noted.