Issue - meetings

[To approve the HRA business plan.]

1.          That the 1% reduction in social housing rents be implemented in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and give 28 days’ notice be given to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from 2 April 2018.

2.          That the business plan be adopted as set out at Appendix A (to the Cabinet (Resources) Panel report) as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a.      The revenue budget for 2018-2019 at Appendix A3.

b.      The capital programme for 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 at Appendix A4 including provision for retrofitting of sprinklers in high-rise blocks and building of new council housing.

c.      The increase in the management allowance for Wolverhampton Homes for the transfer of Homelessness and Housing Options services.

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

4.          That it be agreed, the Council positions itself to take advantage of any flexibility in HRA borrowing by gearing up to develop more council housing on suitable sites.

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 2018 -2019, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 2 April 2018, and a proposed HRA capital programme for the period 2018 - 2019 to 2021 - 2022. He provided an overview of the revenue account and business plan.

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

Resolved:

1. That the 1% reduction in social housing rents be implemented in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act and give 28 days’ notice be given to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent reduction from 2 April 2018.

2. That the business plan be adopted as set out at Appendix A (to the Cabinet

(Resources) Panel report) as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including;

a. The revenue budget for 2018-2019 at Appendix A3.

b. The capital programme for 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 at Appendix A4 including provision for retrofitting of sprinklers in high-rise blocks and building of new council housing.

c. The increase in the management allowance for Wolverhampton Homes for the transfer of Homelessness and Housing Options services.

3.  That the rates for garage rents and service charges be agreed as set out in

appendices B1-B3 and tenants be formally notified.

4. That it be agreed, the Council positions itself to take advantage of any flexibility in HRA borrowing by gearing up to develop more council housing on suitable sites.

[To recommend to Council the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan including annual rent and service charges]

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 2 April 2018.

2.       Adopt the business plan set out at Appendix A to the report as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including.

a)          The revenue budget for 2018-2019 at Appendix A3 to the report.

b)          The capital programme for 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 at Appendix A4 to the report  including provision for retrofitting of sprinklers in high-rise blocks and building of new council housing.

c)          The increase in the management allowance for Wolverhampton Homes for the transfer of Homelessness and Housing Options services.  

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

4.       Agree to position itself to take advantage of any flexibility in HRA borrowing by gearing up to develop more council housing on suitable sites.

5.       Note the consultation responses as outlined at Appendix C to the report.

6.       Note the potential impact of the further implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 on the HRA business Plan.

7.       Note the introduction of a 52 week rent year following consultation with tenants, to better align the payment of rents with the payment of Universal Credit.

8.       Note service charges to council tenants have been recalculated over 52 weeks but generally tenants would pay the same over 12 months, with the exception of the central heating charge for gas, which is due to increase by £0.50 per week as approved in the business plan for 2016-2017 until full recovery of costs are achieved.

Councillor Peter Bilson presented the report on an updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan for recommendation to Council. The report also provided, as an integral part of that business plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2018-2019, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 2 April 2018, and a proposed HRA capital programme for the period 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 for recommendation to Council.

Resolved:

1.     That Council be recommended to:

a.       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 2 April 2018.

b.       Adopt the business plan set out at Appendix A to the report as the approved Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan including:

i     The revenue budget for 2018-2019 at Appendix A3 to the report.

ii     The capital programme for 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 at Appendix A4 to the report including provision for retrofitting of sprinklers in high-rise blocks and building of new council housing.

iii    The increase in the management allowance for Wolverhampton Homes for the transfer of Homelessness and Housing Options services.  

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

d.   Agree to position itself to take advantage of any flexibility in HRA borrowing by gearing up to develop more council housing on suitable sites.

2.     That the consultation responses as outlined at Appendix C to the report be noted

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

4.     That the introduction of a 52 week rent year following consultation with tenants, to better align the payment of rents with the payment of Universal Credit be noted.

5.     That it be noted that service charges to council tenants have been recalculated over 52 weeks but generally tenants would pay the same over 12 months, with the exception of the central heating charge for gas, which is due to increase by £0.50 per week as approved in the business plan for 2016-2017 until full recovery of costs are achieved.