Agenda item

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

Recommendations:-

That Cabinet resolve to recommend to Council:-

1.    That dwelling rents be increased by 2.7% in 2020/21 in line with the government guidelines on rents for social housing from April 2020 which allows rents to increase by Consumer Price Index (as at September) plus 1%.

2.    That there be a 2% increase in charges for garages and parking spaces, communal facilities, cooking gas and use of laundry facilities, in line with increases being proposed for other fees and charges across the Council.

3.    That the unit charge per Kwh for District Heating Schemes remain the same level, as agreed by the Council in December 2017.

4.    That all Affordable Rent properties be revalued in October and March each year to provide a valid rent value for when Affordable Rent properties are re-let.

5.    That the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2020/21 be agreed.

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval for the proposed values of the housing rents, non-dwelling rents, District Heating and service charges and the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2020/21.

The report proposed the following changes:-

·         That housing rents be increased in line with CPI (as at September 2019) plus 1% in 2020/21, therefore an increase of 2.7%. Non-Dwelling Rents

·         That an increase in non-dwelling charges be applied in line with the recommended increase being applied across the council of 2% for 2020/21

·         No change to District Heating charges

It was reported that the report had been the subject of pre-decision scrutiny by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 20 December 2019, where the proposals had been supported with two further recommendations for consideration by Cabinet:-

·         That the number of Universal Credit claimants be closely monitored with a view to reducing the level of rent arrears from those tenants on that benefit.

·         That consideration be given to including the measure in the service plan for Housing Services and be reported on to Improving Places Select Commission in June 2020.

Resolved:-

1.    That Council be recommend resolve:-

(i)            That dwelling rents be increased by 2.7% in 2020/21 in line with the government guidelines on rents for social housing from April 2020 which allows rents to increase by Consumer Price Index (as at September) plus 1%.

(ii)          That there be a 2% increase in charges for garages and parking spaces, communal facilities, cooking gas and use of laundry facilities, in line with increases being proposed for other fees and charges across the Council.

(iii)         That the unit charge per Kwh for District Heating Schemes remain the same level, as agreed by the Council in December 2017.

(iv)         That all Affordable Rent properties be revalued in October and March each year to provide a valid rent value for when Affordable Rent properties are re-let.

(v)          That the draft Housing Revenue Account budget for 2020/21 be agreed.

2.    That the following recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be supported:-

(i)            That the number of Universal Credit claimants be closely monitored with a view to reducing the level of rent arrears from those tenants on that benefit.

(ii)          That consideration be given to including the measure in the service plan for Housing Services and be reported on to Improving Places Select Commission in June 2020.