Issue - meetings

To consider the report on the proposed rent, service and support charge increase for 2019/20.

The Assistant Director – Housing, Health and Communities gave a summary of the report.

The Assistant Director – Housing, Health and Communities noted that the main issue with providing the Lifeline service was that even though the Council offered better value for money, the fact that other providers were cheaper meant that the Council was losing customers. She said this was the reason why the recommendation was not to raise prices this year.

The Housing Strategy and Operations Manager said the Council already did a lot of publicity work on its Lifeline service.

The Assistant Director – Housing, Health and Communities said the Council would be hit by the impact of rent charges reductions. The Government were now expecting that the Council borrow beyond the old debt cap. It was problematic that maintenance and development were interlinked, because it was necessary to borrow in order not to pay back Housing Revenue Account receipts. This was not an efficient way of working.

Councillor Dean said he wanted it to be noted that he had concerns about the government’s policy of 1% rent reduction for general needs and supported accommodation.

RESOLVED to

·         recommend to Cabinet for approval HRA dwelling rents for 2019/20 as detailed below:

o   General needs accommodation - a 1% reduction in rent as per central government legislation

o   Supported accommodation - a 1% reduction in rent as per central government legislation

o   All dwelling rents to be revised to the formula rent level when the property is re-let

·         recommend to Cabinet for approval the increases in garage rent, support and service charges as detailed below:

o   Garage rents are increased by RPI of 3.3%

o   Housing related support charges are increased in line with actual costs

o   Intensive housing management charges are increased in line with actual costs

o   Lifeline charges remain the same

o   Heating, Service and Sewerage charges are increased in line with actual costs