Agenda item

To approve the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Budget for the Financial Year, 2013/14.  The Cabinet met on 6^th February 2013. The attached report on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) – Revenue and Capital Investment Budget 2013/14 was considered at that meeting.  (Pages 211 - 234)

Cabinet Minute 96 relating to this report is attached. (Pages 235 - 236)

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Localities and Housing and the Board Director, Service Delivery concerning the proposed Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Investment Budgets 2013/14, (b) Minute 96 of the Cabinet, and (c) the views of the Housing Advisory Forum as considered by the Cabinet at its meeting 6^th February 2013.

Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Mark Edwards seconded:

·         Council rents for 2013/14 are increased in line with convergence targets of Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 0.5% plus maximum of £2.00, which will increase average rents for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings to £77.82 per week (52 week basis), an increase of 4.8%.This will be an average increase of £3.59 per week.

·         The housing related support charges for 2013/14 and service charges for 2013/14, as outlined in Appendix 2(revised) of the joint report of the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Localities and Housing and the Board Director, Service Delivery, be approved.

·         Leaseholder service charges set for 2013/14 as shown in Appendix 3(revised) of the joint report, be approved.

·         Based on the proposals set out within the joint report the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) proposed budget for 2013/14, as shown in Appendix 4 (revised) to the joint report, be approved and that the HRA Repairs Budget and Funding be approved as shown in Appendix 5 (revised) to the joint report.

·         The provision for debt repayment in 2013/14 of £5m, as detailed in Appendix 1(revised) to the joint report, be approved.

·         The Council include within its Constitution’s Scheme of Delegations an authority enabling the Board Director, Service Delivery in consultation with the Board Director, Resources, Head of Housing Services and the Cabinet Member with portfolio responsibility for Housing, to use the Regeneration and Acquisition fund of up to £1m, to purchase 1and 2 Bedroom accommodation to enable these properties to be included with the Council’s housing stock.

·         Rents charged on General Fund properties be on the same basis as HRA properties resulting in an average increase of 4.4% and the service charges as shown in Appendix 6(revised) to the joint report, be approved.

·         Rents charged for plots at the Hay Lane Residential Gypsy Site be increased by £2.00 per week to £47.00 per week (52 week basis) and the rents for work-pens (small lock-ups), as shown in Appendix 6 (revised) to the joint report, be approved.

·         The homelessness contribution, as outlined in Appendix 6 (revised) to the joint report, be approved.

·         The budgeted 2012/13 Debt repayment of £7,977,300 be reduced to £5m, and the additional funding be transferred to HRA reserves at year end, subsequently to be allocated towards increasing the capital programme for 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 3.45 of the joint report.

Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Des Moffatt seconded:

“That this Council resolves to amend the Housing Revenue Account Rent Setting Budget set out in Cabinet Minute 96 to relocate surplus revenue income for the following purpose:

1. To increase tenants weekly rents by RPI only for 2013/14, rather than the proposed RPI + 0.5% per + £2.

2. That the programme of renewals of kitchens and bathrooms for 2013/14 be reinstated to 2010/11 levels with immediate effect.

            The Amendment was put to the vote and declared carried becoming the substantive motion.

            The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.