Agenda item

6.1

On the motion moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and seconded by Councillor Tom Hunt, and after contributions from nine other Members, and following a right of reply from Councillor Johnson, it was:-

RESOLVED: That, in accordance with the resolution passed by the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee at its meeting held on 24th January 2024 relating to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and HRA Budget for 2024/25:-

(a)      the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan report for 2024/25 and the HRA Business Plan priorities for 2024/25, as set out in the Financial Appendix to the report, are approved;

(b)      the HRA Revenue Budget 2024/25, as set out in the Financial Appendix to the report, is approved;

(c)      it be noted that once adopted by the City Council, monitoring the delivery of HRA Business Plan priorities will be within the remit of the Housing Policy Committee and a regular performance reporting schedule will be approved;

(d)      rents for council dwellings be increased by 7.7% from April 2024, in line with the Regulator of Social Housing’s Rent Standard;

(e)      garage rents for garage plots and sites be increased by 7.7% from April 2024;

(f)       the sheltered housing charge be increased by 6.7% from April 2024;

(g)      the burglar alarm charge be increased by 6.7% from April 2024;

(h)      the furnished accommodation charge be increased by 6.7% from April 2024;

(i)       no increase be made to the community heating charge at this time; and

(j)       rents for temporary accommodation be increased by 7.7% for 2024/25.

6.1.1

(NOTE: The result of the vote on the Motion was FOR - 63 Members; AGAINST - 8 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members.)

At this point in the proceedings, the Lord Mayor (Councillor Colin Ross) left the meeting, and the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Jayne Dunn) chaired the meeting for the remainder of the proceedings.