Issue - meetings

Key Decision

Councillor David Martin – Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits

Cabinet Members received information on the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) rent level and other HRA accommodation related charges for Council tenants for the financial year 2023/24.  A request was made that should delegated authority be granted to the Director of Housing and Assets in respect of this matter, any decisions should also be made in conjunction with the Executive Lead Members for Council and Social Housing and Finance, Revenues and Benefits.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to increase the level of rents and charges as proposed for 2023/24.

RESOLVED

that the following be received and approved:

a)    to set an average rent increase of 7% for all Council house rents for 2023/24;

b)    to set a garage and plot average rent increase of 7% for 2023/24;

c)    to set a weekly amenity charge increase of 7% for all relevant council house properties for 2023/24;

d)    to set an increase to the service charges of 7% to 9 sheltered schemes and 21 blocks of general needs flats;

e)    to set an increase to the communal heating charges of 38% for 2023/24 and to grant delegated authority to the Director of Housing and Assets, in conjunction with the Chief Finance Officer, Executive Lead Member for Council and Social Housing and Executive Lead Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits, to re-evaluate the charges should the Government extend the Energy Bill Relief Scheme beyond March 2023;

f)     to set an increase for water charges at Brook Street Court of 7.1% for 2023/24;

g)    to set an increase for service charges for the properties at Hawkers Place of Retail Price Index (RPI) at December 2022 for 2023/24.

Reason:

To raise rents and charges in line with Government recommendations and to cover increasing costs as required.