Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Hugh Irving, Lead Member for Customers and Communities (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval for the proposed Rent and Service Charge increase and the Housing Revenue Account Capital and Revenue Budgets for 2014/15.

RESOLVED that  –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2014/15 (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 Rent Setting Policy guidance from Welsh Government (average 4.59% per week) with effect from Monday 7 April 2014;

(c)        rents for Council garages be increased in line with Guideline Rents (average of 4.59% per week) and Heating Charges by 7.5% with effect from Monday 7 April 2014, and

(d)       the capital programme priorities for stock investment for the period 2014 – 2019 be approved (Appendix 3 to the report) and subject to a full tendering exercise.

Councillor Hugh Irving presented the report seeking Cabinet approval for the proposed Rent and Service Charge increase and the Housing Revenue Account Capital and Revenue Budgets for 2014/15.  He guided members through the budget figures and reasoning behind the proposed increases in rent and charges.

In view of the shortage of garages in Cynwyd, Councillor Huw Jones was keen to ensure that the planned review of council garages was undertaken.  Officers responded to questions regarding the capital programme for stock investment and elaborated upon identified repairs, maintenance and improvement costs arising from the recent review of housing stock.  The Council was on course to deliver the Welsh Housing Quality Standard which had concentrated heavily on internal elements.  Following that achievement there would be targeted investment in external elements.

RESOLVED that  –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2014/15 (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 Rent Setting Policy guidance from Welsh Government (average 4.59% per week) with effect from Monday 7 April 2014;

(c)        rents for Council garages be increased in line with Guideline Rents (average of 4.59% per week) and Heating Charges by 7.5% with effect from Monday 7 April 2014, and

(d)       the capital programme priorities for stock investment for the period 2014 – 2019 be approved (Appendix 3 to the report) and subject to a full tendering exercise.