Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities).

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities) (Councillor Mark Weldon) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the Executive’s recommendations with regard to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2013/14, including the level of rent and service charges.

RESOLVED – (36 for, 19 against) That approval be given to:-

(i)         An increase in the average rent of 4.9% for dwelling rents;

(ii)        An increase of 3.1% for garage rents;

(iii)       Service charges increasing as outlined in paragraph 3.2;

(iv)       A 3.1% increase in Carecall Charges;

(v)        A 3.1% increase in Warden charges; and,

(vii)      The Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix One.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities)

Officer contact: Michael Cullen, 0161 474 4631, michael.cullen@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Communities) and the Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the level of increase for rent and service charges for the Housing Revenue Account, the charges for Carecall services and the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2013/14.

Executive Councillors commented that the increase in rents and charges was needed to meet the government requirement for rent convergence, and would allow for significant investment in housing stock and measures to mitigate and assist tenants with benefit changes. Not increasing rents and charges would have a negative impact on the Housing Revenue Account and create significant additional financial pressures in the future.

The Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) stated that the report had been considered by both the Adults & Communities and Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny Committees and the Executive would be making a recommendation to the Council Meeting, therefore the decision had been exempted from call-in.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to approve

·         an increase in the average rent of 4.9% for dwelling rents;

·         an increase of 3.1% for garage rents;

·         Service Charges increasing as outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report;

·         a 3.1% increase in Carecall charges;

·         a 3.1% increase in Warden charges; and

·         the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.