Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Finance Officer

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Stephen Holt

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To agree the HRA budget for 2020/21 and revised 2019/20 budget as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To agree that social and affordable rents (including Shared Ownership) are increased by 2.7% in line with government policy.

(3) To agree that service charges for general needs properties are increased by 2.7% (CPI +1%).

(4) To agree that the service charge for the Older Persons’ Sheltered Accommodations increases by an average of 0.5%.

(5) To agree that the Support charges for Sheltered Housing Residents are set at £7.70 per unit, per week, an increase of 20p.

(6) To agree that heating costs are increased by 2.7% (CPI+1%) in line with estimated costs set at a level designed to recover the actual cost.

(7) To agree that water charges are increased by 2.7% (CPI+1%) designed to recover the estimated cost of metered consumption.

(8) To agree that Garage rents are increased by 3.4% (September RPI+1).

(9) To give delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio holders for Financial Services and Direct Assistance Service and the Chief Finance Officer to finalise Eastbourne Homes’ Management Fee and Delivery Plan.

(10) To agree the HRA Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

Resolved (Key decision):

(11) That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, following consultation with the Cabinet member for Direct Assistance Services to acquire properties as per the approved capital programme under terms that best protect the council’s interest.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Finance Office, regarding the detailed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals, rent levels, service charges and heating costs for 2020/21, and the HRA Capital Programme 2019/23.

Cabinet unanimously agreed to an additional resolution and this was detailed at point 11 below.

Recommended to Full Council (Budget and policy framework):

(1) To agree the HRA budget for 2020/21 and revised 2019/20 budget as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2) To agree that social and affordable rents (including Shared Ownership) are increased by 2.7% in line with government policy.

(3) To agree that service charges for general needs properties are increased by 2.7% (CPI +1%).

(4) To agree that the service charge for the Older Persons’ Sheltered Accommodations increases by an average of 0.5%.

(5) To agree that the Support charges for Sheltered Housing Residents are set at £7.70 per unit, per week, an increase of 20p.

(6) To agree that heating costs are increased by 2.7% (CPI+1%) in line with estimated costs set at a level designed to recover the actual cost.

(7) To agree that water charges are increased by 2.7% (CPI+1%) designed to recover the estimated cost of metered consumption.

(8) To agree that Garage rents are increased by 3.4% (September RPI+1).

(9) To give delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio holders for Financial Services and Direct Assistance Services and the Chief Finance Officer to finalise Eastbourne Homes’ Management Fee and Delivery Plan.

(10) To agree the HRA Capital Programme as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

Resolved (Key decision):

(11) That delegated authority be given to the Director of Regeneration and Planning, following consultation with the Cabinet member for Direct Assistance Services to acquire properties as per the approved capital programme under terms that best protect the council’s interest.

Reason for decisions:

The Cabinet has to recommend to Full Council the setting of the HRA revenue and capital budget and the level of social and affordable housing rents for the forthcoming year.