Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing.

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Helen Foster-Grime) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Council Meeting to set the level of rent and service charges in the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and approve the HRA budget for 2023/24.

RESOLVED - That approved be given to:-

(a) An increase of 7% for social rent and affordable rent.

(b) An increase of 7% for rent of shared ownership properties.

(c) An increase of 9.5% for rent of sheltered properties.

(d) Service charge increases as outlined in section 3.

(e) The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on an illustrative Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget. The Cabinet will be meeting on 31 January to recommend to Council a HRA budget for 2023/24, including the level of rent and service charges.  The illustrative budget is based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report which includes income from rent and service charges, expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy, indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures, and identified investment priorities.

The Cabinet is requested to recommend that the Council meeting gives approval to:-

a) an increase of 7% for social and affordable rent;

b) an increase of 7% for rent of shared ownership properties;

c) an increase of 9.5% for rent of sheltered properties

d) service charge increases as outlined in section 3;

e) the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1

Officer contact: Michael Cullen  on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Helen Foster-Grime) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposed HRA budget for 2023/24, including the level of rent and service charges.  The illustrative budget was based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report which included income from rent and service charges, expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy, indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures, and identified investment priorities.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to:-

(a) an increase of 7% for social and affordable rent;

(b) an increase of 7% for rent of shared ownership properties;

(c) an increase of 9.5% for rent of sheltered properties

(d) service charge increases as outlined in section 3;

(e) the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1.

To consider a joint Report of the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive and the Director of Place Management.

The report provides the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on an illustrative Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget. The Cabinet will be meeting on 31 January to recommend to Council a HRA budget for 2023/24, including the level of rent and service charges.  The illustrative budget is based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report which includes income from rent and service charges, expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy, indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures, and identified investment priorities.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on the report and the illustrative HRA Budget for 2023/24. 

Officer contact: Michael Cullen  on 0161 474 4631 or email: michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

The Director of Place Management submitted a joint report of the Director and the Corporate Director (Corporate and Support Services) & Deputy Chief Executive (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Scrutiny Committee with the opportunity to comment on an illustrative Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget.  The Cabinet will be meeting on 31 January to recommend to Council a HRA budget for 2023/24, including the level of rent and service charges. 

The illustrative budget was based on a number of key assumptions set out in the report which included income from rent and service charges, expenditure commitments contained within the HRA 30 year Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy, indicative spending requirements to support inflationary pressures, and identified investment priorities.

The Cabinet Member for Communities & Housing (Councillor Helen Foster-Grime) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         In response to a question regarding the application of the higher formula rent of 11.1% as social rent properties became void, it was stated that this was the starting point for new tenancies, however assessment would always be done on a case-by-case basis.

·         It was suggested that the scrutiny committee should receive a regular progress report son the maintenance of Stockport Homes properties so that assurance could be provided to members that this was being carried out appropriately.  In response, it was stated that the Member Committee did receive regular reports on this matter however there remained scope for more reporting to the scrutiny committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.