Issue - meetings

Report number TSE41 by the Corporate Governance and Housing Portfolio Holder.                                                                       (Enclosure)

DECISION:

1)    To approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for consultation through the District Wide Tenants Panel and Housing Consultative Group;

2)    To delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder to approve any amendments to the Business Plan following this consultation

3)    To require any major amendments to be reported back to Cabinet for approval

4)    That the plan would be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect prevailing circumstances.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

1)    Report number TSE41 by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Housing.

2)    Comments made by the Strategic Director and Corporate Head for Finance & Customer Services regarding the financial position of the HRA and that a required reduction in spending plans would present a challenge to the Council’s ability to maintain decent homes standard.

3)    Comments made by the Corporate Head for Finance & Customer Services regarding potential changes to the national HRA Subsidy System.

4)    Comments made by Cabinet Members with regard to the need for tenants to understand the financial predicament being faced by the Council.

5)    Comments from Cabinet Members regarding the need for the Council to closely monitor expenditure in order to not exceed the HRA’s annual income.

Other options considered:

          The option of not updating the Business Plan was considered but ruled        out because it is not possible to effectively manage the housing service without a detailed knowledge of the income it will have and the costs     required to manage and maintain the stock effectively.