Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval for the Denbighshire Housing annual rent increase, the Housing Revenue Account Capital and Revenue Budgets for 2018/19 and Housing Stock Business Plan.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2018/19 (Appendix 1 to the report) and the Housing Stock Business Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) be adopted, and

(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 £87.63 with effect from Monday 2 April 2018.

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 for 2018/19 and Housing Stock Business Plan.

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

Cabinet was pleased to note the high satisfaction rating from tenants and that Denbighshire compared favourably with other local authorities and housing associations in terms of housing rents.  It was also noted that Denbighshire had consistently low housing rent arrears in comparison to Wales and the UK.  However Universal Credit was acknowledged as a risk which was being well managed within Denbighshire with low numbers of rent arrears at present.  Members were also pleased to note that a programme of 170 new build homes had been incorporated within the Housing Stock Business Plan and the Lead Officer – Community Housing answered questions regarding progress with that particular programme and also confirmed that alternative heating sources to liquid gas in rural areas were being investigated.  Garages had not been dealt with in the report as they were not subject to Welsh Government Rent Policy and the charges and use of garages sites would be reviewed by the Head of Facilities, Assets and Housing.  Nevertheless Councillor Bobby Feeley expressed concern regarding the time taken to complete the review of garages sites and it was agreed to receive a report back on the Council’s approach to garages following completion of the review in approximately six months’ time.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2018/19 (Appendix 1 to the report) and the Housing Stock Business Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) be adopted, and

(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 £87.63 with effect from Monday 2 April 2018.