Decision details

RESOLVED that it was recommended to Full Council that:

A     The rent reductions for individual dwellings as set out in paragraph 31 of the report are effective from 2 April 2018. This equates to an average weekly rent of £90.74 a statutory reduction of one percent.

B    Service charges for individual dwellings, as set out in paragraphs 23 to 30 of the report are effective from 2 April 2018 for tenants and 1 April 2018 for leaseholders. This equates to an average weekly service charge to tenants of £2.03.

C    Heating charges as set out in paragraphs 32 to 41 of the report are effective from 2 April 2018 for tenants and 1 April 2018 for leaseholders. Average weekly general needs charges are £6.53per week (leaseholders £13.60 per week, equivalent) and, for sheltered accommodation, £5.25 per week.

D    Garage rents are increased by five percent, to £9.68 per week (for a standard garage) and proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces, from 2 April 2018, as set out in paragraphs 42 and 43 of the report.

E     Housing related support charges are as set out in paragraphs 16 to 22 and Table 1 of the report be approvedfor service users effective from 1 April 2018.

F     Service charges in respect of communal window cleaning in sheltered and general needs properties and communal cleaning at Sumners Farm Close be unpooled from rent with effect from 2 April 2018, as set out in Paragraph 21 of the report.

G    Other charges set out in paragraphs 44 to 46 of the report be approved with effect from 1 April 2018.

H    The growth and savings outlined in paragraphs 49 and 50 of the report in respect of 2018/19 are approved.

I       The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget as set out at Appendix A to the report be approved.

J     A minimum HRA working balance will be £4 million with £2.5 million at 31 March 2018 being the minimum level and with an additional £1.5 million added as an allowance towards any additional expenditure required as a result of the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry. The initial report is due to be published in 2018/19.