Issue - meetings

Noting recent Government announcements, Cabinet recommended to Council that the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan is finalised to include the following key assumptions:-

(i)    Implement legislation to reduce dwelling rents annually by 1% in each of the four years commencing 2016/17.

(ii)  Renew the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) debt of £209m upon maturity of each loan and that repayment be kept under review as outlined in paragraph 25 of the original report to Cabinet.

(iii)Maintain the minimum HRA working balance at 31 March 2016 at £2.727m.

(iv)Revise the housing asset management plans as outlined in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the original report to Cabinet.

(v)  Assume annual increases of at least 5% per year for garages and increases / decreases in service charges related to changes in expenditure.

The Council received a report from the Cabinet that recommended that the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan is finalised to include the following key assumptions:-

(i)    Implement legislation to reduce dwelling rents annually by 1% in each of the four years commencing 2016/17.

(ii)  Renew the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) debt of £209m upon maturity of each loan and that repayment be kept under review as outlined in paragraph 25 of the original report to Cabinet.

(iii)Maintain the minimum HRA working balance at 31 March 2016 at £2.727m.

(iv)Revise the housing asset management plans as outlined in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the original report to Cabinet.

(v)  Assume annual increases of at least 5% per year for garages and increases / decreases in service charges related to changes in expenditure.

Proposed by Councillor Rod Truan and seconded by Councillor Jon Clempner it was:

RESOLVED that the above recommendation from Cabinet is approved.

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the recent Government announcements and RECOMMENDS to Council that the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan is finalised to include the following key assumptions:-

  (a)        Implement legislation to reduce dwelling rents annually by 1% in each of the four years commencing 2016/17.

  (b)        Renew the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) debt of £209m upon maturity of each loan and that repayment be kept under review as outlined in paragraph 25 of the report submitted.

  (c)        Maintain the minimum HRA working balance at 31 March 2016 at £2.727m.

  (d)        Revise the housing asset management plans as outlined in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the report submitted.

  (e)        Assume annual increases of at least 5% per year for garages and increases / decreases in service charges related to changes in expenditure.

The Cabinet received a report that advised of recent Government announcements related to social housing and explained that the Council must revise key principles contained in its Housing Revenue Account Business Plan (2015-45) as a result.

Proposed by Councillor Jon Clempner (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers) it was:

RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the recent Government announcements and RECOMMENDS to Council that the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan is finalised to include the following key assumptions:-

                  (a)        Implement legislation to reduce dwelling rents annually by 1% in each of the four years commencing 2016/17.

                  (b)        Renew the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) debt of £209m upon maturity of each loan and that repayment be kept under review as outlined in paragraph 25 of the report submitted.

                  (c)        Maintain the minimum HRA working balance at 31 March 2016 at £2.727m.

                  (d)        Revise the housing asset management plans as outlined in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the report submitted.

                  (e)        Assume annual increases of at least 5% per year for garages and increases / decreases in service charges related to changes in expenditure.