Decision details

9.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report providing the 2020/21 update of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan. It includes proposals to:

• Build more council homes and accelerate the current council housing stock increase programme.

• Continue to prioritise investment in fire safety measures.

• Broaden our tenant engagement and consultation channels/streams.

• Plan a programme of environment works to improve future sustainability of our neighbourhoods.

• Transform the way our customers are able to access the Housing and Neighbourhoods Service.

• Develop a pre-tenancy support package/offer to new council tenants to help ensure they are able to sustain their tenancy.

• Continue to review the costs and performance of services provided to the HRA to ensure value for money is achieved and the service continues to improve.

• Bring forward proposals for a charged gardening scheme for tenants who would like assistance with their garden and enhance our vacant gardens.

• Review housing offices and community buildings to ensure these are being fully utilised by tenants and residents.

• Continue to deliver improvements to our tenants’ homes to make sure they continue to be well maintained.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet recommends to the meeting of the City Council on 5th February 2020 that:-

(a)

the HRA Business Plan report for 2020/21, as set out in the appendix to the report, is approved;

(b)

the HRA Revenue Budget 2020/21, as set out in the appendix to the report, is approved;

(c)

rents for Council dwellings, including temporary accommodation, are increased by 2.7% from April 2020 in line with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard;

(d)

garage rents for garage plots and garage sites are increased by 2.7% from April 2020 for those garages tenants that have seen improvements; garage rents for garage plots and sites will not be increased for garages that have not yet received improvements; this increase will be applied to individual units once garage improvement work has been completed;

(e)

the burglar alarm charge is £1.25 per week from April 2020; this is a reduction of £0.36 per week;

(f)

the community heating charge remains unchanged for 2020/21;

(g)

the sheltered housing service charge remains unchanged for 2020/21; and

(h)

the furnished accommodation charge remains unchanged for 2020/21.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

To optimise the number of good quality affordable council homes in the city.

9.3.2

To maximise the financial resources to deliver key outcomes for tenants and the city in the context of a self-financing funding regime.

9.3.3

To ensure that tenants’ homes continue to be well maintained and to optimise investment in estates.

9.3.4

To assure the long term sustainability of council housing in Sheffield.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Sheffield City Council has a statutory duty to produce an annual balanced HRA budget, which is evidenced by the Business Plan update, therefore no alternative option was considered to producing this report.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

N/A

(Note: This is subject to approval at Full Council at its meeting to be held on 5th February 2020 and is not subject to call-in).