Agenda and draft minutes

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted draft responses to the above consultations on behalf of the Council:-

Allocation of Accommodation

The above Government consultation, guidance for local housing authorities in England, commenced on 5^th January and would close on 30^th March, 2012.  It contained 15 questions covering:-

-        Existing Tenants

-        Eligibility

-        Allocations

-        Flexible Tenancies

Social Housing Fraud

The above Government consultation commenced on 11^th January and would close on 4^th April, 2012.  It contained 13 questions covering:-

-        Current Situation

-        Current Penalties

-        Landlords’ Method of Detection

-        Strengthening Landlords’ Powers to tackle Tenancy Fraud

Rotherham was currently working with a private sector company checking the housing database and comparing information of suspected fraudsters against information held.  Once complete, there would be a much better idea of the extent of tenancy fraud occurring and the number of occasions the Authority was likely to pursue possession through the Courts.

It was noted that the consultation responses had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 16^th March, 2012.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the draft consultation responses be noted.

(2)  That, subject to further amendments, the response be submitted to CLG by 30^th March, 2012 (Allocation of Accommodation Consultation) and 4^th April, 2012 (Social Housing Fraud Consultation).

(3)  That a further report be submitted once the changes had been confirmed by Government and the Allocations Policy was revised accordingly.

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report on the current position to date on the 2011/12 Capital Programme together with a forecast outturn position to the end of the financial year based upon activity as at the end of January, 2012.

Based upon activity there was a forecasted underspend of £1.214M against the revised budget of £23.700M.  The underspend would be carried forward into 2012/13 to meet the costs of schemes slipping into the next year.

In addition, the Government had now announced the final debt settlement figure of £15.188M payable by Rotherham as part of the HRA self-financing initiative.  The sum would be funded by additional borrowing in line with Government guidelines; this would be in addition to the current forecast spend within the approved HIP budget.

The report set out a scheme by scheme analysis of spend against the approved Programme with explanations for any significant variances.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the revised budget position and the latest financial forecast be noted.

(2)  That the forecast savings and slippage on schemes within Capital Works to properties be utilised to offset forecast increased spend on other schemes within the same category.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

The Finance Manager, Neighbourhoods and Adult Services, submitted the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budget for 2012/13.

The cost of delivering services in 2012/13 could be met from existing resources with a small contribution to Working Balance to be made in year to underpin service delivery and capital investment requirements in 2013/14 as identified within the 30 year Business Plan.

Resolved:-  That the draft 2012/13 Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget be approved.