Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval for the Denbighshire Housing annual rent increase, the Housing Revenue Account Capital and Revenue Budgets.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2017/18 (Appendix 1 to the report) and the Housing Stock Business Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) be adopted;

(b)       rents for Council dwellings be increased in accordance with the Welsh Government Policy for Social Housing Rents introduced in April 2015 to an average weekly rent of £81.77 with effect from Monday 3 April 2017, and

(c)        rents for Council garages be increased in line with the increase in rents for Council dwellings to £6.85 for Council Tenants and £8.22 for other Tenants per week.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report seeking Cabinet approval for the Denbighshire housing annual rent increase, the Housing Revenue Account Capital and Revenue Budgets.

Councillor Thompson-Hill guided members through the budget figures and income level assumptions which had been calculated taking into account the Welsh Government Policy for Social Housing Rents and mechanism for uplifting rents.  The annual review of the Housing Stock Business Plan showed it remained robust and viable and there were sufficient resources to support the management and supervision of the housing service and the investment needs of the stock.

During consideration of the report the following issues were discussed –

·         it was noted that ministerial approval of the business case to suspend Right to Buy (RTB) sales was still awaited, despite reminders, and both members and officers voiced their frustrations in this regard given that the delay was undermining the Council’s ability to invest and resulting in the further loss of housing stock through RTB sales.  Welsh Government had taken four months to test the robustness of the business case prior to its submission for ministerial approval in November which could take up to a further six months.  Officers agreed to consider with the Lead Member whether political support was required

·         a survey had been undertaken of council garages and consultation was taking place with Member Area Groups regarding council garage sites with land which could be developed for housing.  The survey had highlighted a significant maintenance backlog which was not covered by the rent payable and would take years to undertake.  The findings of the survey together with viability of other uses for council garages sites would be subject of a future report

·         in terms of the Welsh Housing Quality (WHQ) Standards particular elements were contained and monitored within the Housing Stock Business Plan and officers reported upon the improved lettable standard for housing resulting in Denbighshire providing better quality housing that the WHQ Standards

·         with regard to the uplifting of rents it was anticipated that all tenants would be paying the full target rent from 2021 and Denbighshire was aiming for the mid point target rent subject to any welfare reform implications.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2017/18 (Appendix 1 to the report) and the Housing Stock Business Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) be adopted;

(b)       rents for Council dwellings be increased in accordance with the Welsh Government Policy for Social Housing Rents introduced in April 2015 to an average weekly rent of £81.77 with effect from Monday 3 April 2017, and

(c)        rents for Council garages be increased in line with the increase in rents for Council dwellings to £6.85 for Council Tenants and £8.22 for other Tenants per week.

At this point (11.45 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a refreshment break.