To:

·         Note the level of the average rent for 2017/18;

·         Agree tenants’ service charges increase for 2017/18; and

·         Agree to amend the quota for Band 3 lets.

DECISION

Housing Revenue Account

1.   Noted that, under section 23 of the Welfare Reform and Work Act the Authority must implement a rent reduction of 1% for four years starting in 2016/17, and consequently to agree an average weekly rent reduction of 1% to take effect from the first rent week of April 2017.

2.   Agreed that the average weekly tenanted service charge will increase by 2% from the first rent week in April 2017.

3.   Noted that section 80 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 requires local authorities to charge high income social tenants an increased level of rent, (up to market rent levels).  However the government has now confirmed that this scheme (Pay to Stay) will now be voluntary for local authorities.

4.   Noted the risks to the HRA as set out in section 6, and note that the HRA budget will be presented to Cabinet in February 2017 along with updated medium-term financial projections.

In relation to Lettings

5.  Agreed to amend the quota for Band 3 lets from 10% of one, two and three bed properties to 5% of one bed / studios and two beds per annum.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. DALVI)

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (Z. COOKE)

(Finance Manager (P. Leeson)

(Senior Accountant (K. Ball)

(Interim Head of Strategy, Regeneration and Housing Options (M. Baigent)