Issue - meetings

Councillor Lisa Homan stated that the proposed increase of 1.5% to rent and other charges was well below inflation and the Government’s suggested rent policy, and much lower than the rates proposed by other councils. She added that tenants and residents had been consulted on the plans at the Housing Representatives Forum and at the Economy, Housing and the Arts Policy & Accountability Committee, and they had fully endorsed this report.

Councillor Schmid and the Leader both added that the Council recognised the higher cost of living pressures faced by tenants due to rising inflation and new Government taxes. Therefore, the Council was proposing a real-terms rent reduction to help residents. Rent and other charges would only increase by 1.5%, which was well below the Government’s suggested rent policy of CPI inflation plus 1%, which would have resulted in a 4.1% rent increase.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS PRESENT:

1.    To approve the Housing Revenue Account 2022/23 budget for Council homes as set out in Table 1.

2.    To approve the 40-year financial plan for Council homes for 2021-2061, which requires an increase in the ongoing annual revenue savings (when compared to the 2021/22 base budget) of £3.8 million per annum from 2022/23, rising to £7.1m from 2023/24 and to £7.9m from 2024/25.

3.    To approve a rent increase of 1.5% from 4 April 2022, which equates to an average weekly increase for tenants of £1.75 in 2022/23.

4.    To approve an increase to shared ownership rents of 1.5% from 4 April 2022.

5.    To approve an increase to tenant service charges of 1.5% from 4 April 2022, which equates to an average weekly increase for tenants of £0.13 in 2022/23.

6.    To approve an increase to the management fee for temporary on licence properties of 1.5% from 4 April 2022.

7.    To increase garage charges for council tenants, resident leaseholders, and for other customers from April 2022 by 1.5%.

8.    To note that any change to parking charges on housing estates will be considered separately with the Council’s parking plans.

9.    To increase car space rental charges for all customers by 1.5% from April 2022.

10.To approve an increase in the Leasehold After Sale – Home Buy Fees by 1.5% from April 2022 from £200 to £203.

11.To note that an external review of the service will be undertaken in early 2022 to identify further savings in the Housing Service.