Decision details

10.1

The Interim Executive Director, Place, submitted a report providing the 2021/22 update of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan. The report includes proposals to:

·         Deliver our stock increase programme to build and acquire more council homes and develop plans to expand our current programme;

·         Invest in further health and safety measures including fire safety improvements;

·         Deliver improvements to our tenants’ homes to make sure they continue to be well maintained;

·         Develop plans to respond to the Council’s ambitions to address climate change and how council housing can contribute to achieving zero-carbon emissions by 2030;

·         Proactively manage our neighbourhoods, supporting existing, new and prospective council housing tenants;

·         Make improvements to our estate services; and

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

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet recommends to the meeting of the City Council on 3 February 2021 that:-

(a)     the HRA Business Plan report for 2021/22 as set out in the appendix to the report is approved;

(b)     the HRA Revenue Budget 2021/22 as set out in the appendix to the report is approved;

(c)     rents for council dwellings are increased by 1.5% from April 2021 in line with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard;

(d)     rents for temporary accommodation remain unchanged for 2021/22;

(e)     garage rents for garage plots and garage sites are increased by 1.5% from April 2021;

(f)      the community heating standing charge is increased by £0.60 per week from April 2021 (The unit kWh price will remain unchanged for 2021/22);

(g)     the sheltered housing service charge remains unchanged for 2021/22;

(h)     the burglar alarm charge remains unchanged for 2021/22; and

(i)       the furnished accommodation charge remains unchanged for 2021/22

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

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

10.3.2

To maximise the financial resources to deliver key outcomes for tenants

and the city in the context of a self-financing funding regime;

10.3.3

To ensure that tenants’ homes continue to be well maintained and to

optimise investment in estates; and

10.3.4

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

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

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.

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Mick Crofts, Interim Executive Director, Place

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee