Issue - meetings

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

1.             Agree that affordable rents are calculated at relet, based on an individual property valuation.

2.             Agree that affordable rents are increased by 4.8% in 2026/27.

3.             Agree that shared ownership rents are increased by 5% in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 9.

Report from Strategic Director for Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Recommendations

That Cabinet recommends to Council to:

1.             Approve the proposed 2026/27 HRA Business Plan.

2.             Note that the Business Plan will be reviewed annually to provide an updated financial position.

3.             Agree that Council dwelling rents are increased by 4.8% and, dependent upon the Government announcement in January 2026, implement a policy of rent convergence. Allowing rents for social housing properties that are currently below the Government-calculated formula rent to increase by an additional £2 per week in 2026/27. If convergence is capped below £2 that will be the level applied.

4.             Agree that the Council should retain the policy of realigning rents on properties at below formula rent to the formula rent level when the property is re-let to a new tenant.

5.             Agree that affordable rents are calculated at relet, based on an individual property valuation.

6.             Agree that affordable rents are increased by 4.8% in 2026/27.

7.             Agree that shared ownership rents are increased by 5% in 2026/27.

8.             Agree that charges for communal facilities, parking spaces, cooking gas and use of laundry facilities are increased by 3% in 2026/27.

9.             Agree that charges for garages are increased by 10% in 2026/27.

10.          Agree that the District Heating unit charge per kWh remains at 13.09 pence per kWh.

11.          Agree that the decision to reduce the price of District Heating Charges during 2026/27 be delegated to the Assistant Director of Housing in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Financial Services following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing. The delegation would only be used to respond to a change in Government policy or a significant change in the Ofgem price cap that has the effect of a lower unit price.

12.          Approve the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2026/27 as shown in Appendix 8.