Issue - meetings

This report has one appendix which contains information exempt within the meaning of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and is not for publication. The appendix has therefore been circulated to Cabinet Members only.

Any discussions on the contents of an exempt appendix will require Cabinet to pass the proposed resolution identified at the end of the agenda to exclude members of the public and the press the proceedings for that discussion.

Councillor Rowan Ree stated that the Council had worked hard to keep rents and service charges as low as possible but in order to be able to balance the Housing Revenue Account budget an increase was now necessary. However, the Council was proud to have the second lowest rental increase across the whole of London.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE CABINET MEMBERS:

1.    That Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information) and/or information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.    To approve an increase to the current rents that are charged to tenants, effective from 14 November 2022. This will be an additional 4.1% for the rest of 2022/23, bringing the total annualised rent rise for 2022/23 from 1.5% to 3.1%. Details are set out in paragraph 3.1. 

3.    To approve a change from fixed to variable service charges for tenants based on the up-to-date actual costs of providing tenant services, which will mean a variable level of increase for the majority of tenants (as set out in paragraph 3.2). 

4.    To approve the above changes to service charges with effect from 14 November 2022 and for future years.