Issue - meetings

[To approve the HRABusinessPlanincluding Rents and Service Charges.]

1.    That the Business Plan set out at Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report on 22 January

2020 be adopted as the approved Housing Revenue Account Business Plan including:

a. The revenue budget for 2020-2021 at Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report

b. The Capital programme for 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 at Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report that includes the following among the proposed investment plans:

·      Continued investment in the New Build Programme

·      Further investment for the Heath Town Estate refurbishment programme

·      Plans for estate remodelling

·      Resources for a programme of planned Medium and Low-Rise Fire Safety

·      Improvements.

2.    That the implementation of an increase of 2.7% to social housing rents in

accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 be approved and 28 days’ notice be given to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent increase from 1 April 2020.

3.    That the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report be approved and tenants be normally notified.

4.    That Management Allowances for Managing Agents be approved as follows:

·           Wolverhampton Homes - £40,090,000

·           Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board - £1,460,000

·           New Park Village Tenant Management Co-operative - £383,000

·           Springfield Horseshoe Housing Co-operative - £360,000

·           Dovecotes Tenants Management Organisation - £1,113,000

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve an adjustment of allowances relating to the management of 162 properties currently managed by Wolverhampton Homes that have been elected to be managed by Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board.

Councillor Louise Miles presented the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2020-2021 including Rents and Service Charges for approval. The report also provides, as an integral part of that Business Plan, a proposed HRA budget for 2020-2021, including proposed rents and service charges to take effect from 1 April 2020, and a proposed HRA Capital Investment Programme for the period 2020- 2021 to 2024-2025 for  approval.

Councillor Louise Miles advised provision had been made for the new build programme, as well as provision to purchase affordable housing developed by WV Living, whilst also improving and developing existing housing stock such as the Heath Town Estate. She added the increase in budgetary provision was for new fire safety measures. 

Councillor Louise Miles advised there was a 2.7% increase to social housing rents in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, the rent increases would be used to underpin the housing improvement programme.

Councillor Louise Miles advised there were no changes to service charges other than a review of charges relating to temporary accommodation.

Councillor Louise Miles thanked the Housing Management agents for the work they undertake and the participants of the consultation. 

Councillor Louise Miles proposed the recommendations and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.    That the Business Plan set out at Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report on 22 January

2020 be adopted as the approved Housing Revenue Account Business Plan including:

a. The revenue budget for 2020-2021 at Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report

b. The Capital programme for 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 at Appendix 2 to the Cabinet report that includes the following among the proposed investment plans:

·      Continued investment in the New Build Programme

·      Further investment for the Heath Town Estate refurbishment programme

·      Plans for estate remodelling

·      Resources for a programme of planned Medium and Low-Rise Fire Safety

·      Improvements.

2.    That the implementation of an increase of 2.7% to social housing rents in

accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 be approved and 28 days’ notice be given to all secure and introductory tenants of the rent increase from 1 April 2020.

3.    That the rates for garage rents and service charges set out in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report be approved and tenants be normally notified.

4.    That Management Allowances for Managing Agents be approved as follows:

·           Wolverhampton Homes - £40,090,000

·           Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board - £1,460,000

·           New Park Village Tenant Management Co-operative - £383,000

·           Springfield Horseshoe Housing Co-operative - £360,000

·           Dovecotes Tenants Management Organisation - £1,113,000

5.    That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing in consultation with the Director of City Assets and Housing to approve an adjustment of allowances relating to the management of 162 properties currently managed by Wolverhampton Homes that have been elected to be managed by Bushbury Hill Estate Management Board.