Agenda and draft minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The Chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

Attendees noted the  notice of filming at meetings as set out at agenda item one.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear).

There were no items of urgent business.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B,

paragraph 29 of the Council’s Constitution.

There were no deputations, questions or petitions  put forward.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader) considered  the report which outlined that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) covered income and expenditure relating to the Council’s own housing stock. It was an account that was ring-fenced from the Council’s general fund as required by the Local Government Act 1989. 

The report noted that every year, the Council sets a business plan for its Housing Revenue Account (HRA). This business plan considers projected income and expenditure over a 10- and 30-year period and the income generated from tenants and leaseholders is used solely for the purpose of investment in its homes, in delivering new council homes, and providing good quality services to its tenants and leaseholders.

The HRA and the services that the Council provides for its Council tenants and leaseholders were governed through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 which introduced a new regulatory framework, with a greater emphasis on residents’ engagement. It was noted that the HRA must ensure its management function of its housing stock is robust, offers good value for money and meets the needs of all its residents.

Two key sources of income generation in the HRA were highlighted and these were the rents and services charges.

The Cabinet Member continued to consider the details of the rents and service charges proposed for 2026/27, and

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the proposed increases in rent of 4.8% to existing tenancies and notes that rents on other forms of tenancies will continue as approved in prior years by cabinet as stated in sections 6.8 to 6.28 of this report.

2.    To approve the proposed average service charge increases as set out in section 6.29 to 6.36 of this report, noting that the increases in service charges to individual tenants will vary depending on the service they receive.

Reasons for decision

The Council is permitted to set rents and service charges to generate revenue to ensure that it is able to manage and maintain its homes, provide services to tenants and leaseholders and build much needed new Council homes.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable