Agenda item

It was moved by Councillor Harry Harpham, seconded by Councillor Mary Lea, that the following recommendations of the Cabinet at its meeting on 14th January 2015, in relation to a joint report of the Executive Directors, Communities, Place and Resources providing the 2015/16 update to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and 2015/16 revenue budget for the HRA be approved.

“RESOLVED: That this Cabinet recommends to the meeting of the City

Council on 4th February, 2015 that :-

(a)

the HRA Business Plan report for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix A to the report is approved;

(b)

the HRA Revenue Budget for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix B to the report is approved;

(c)

rents for Council dwellings are increased by 2.2% from April 2015;

(d)

rents for garages and garage sites are frozen at 2014/15 levels and not increased from April 2015;

(e)

Community Heating charges are not increased from April 2015;

(f)

the burglar alarm charge which is due to be amended during 2014/15 following a procurement is not increased from April 2015;

(g)

the Sheltered Housing service charge which is due to be amended during 2014/15 is not increased from April 2015;

(h)

charges for temporary accommodation and furnished accommodation are not increased;

(i)

the Director of Commissioning, Communities and the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, be granted delegated authority to authorise prudential borrowing as allowed under current government guidelines; and

(j)

the specific projects proposed in the report be brought forward for Member approval in accordance with the Council’s Capital Approval process as business cases are developed.”

Whereupon, it was moved by Councillor Steve Ayris, seconded by Councillor Penny Baker, as an amendment, that, with the exception of recommendation (e) relating to Community Heating charges, the recommendations made by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 14th January 2015, concerning the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, HRA Budget and Rent Increase 2015/16, be approved with the following amendments:-

(e)(1)   that a community heating reserve of £1.5m be retained to address the impact of any future energy price increases and possible changes in demand resulting from the roll out of heating metering; and

(2)       that £0.2m be allocated to facilitate a reduction in the community heating charge to customers;

On being put to the vote, the amendment was negatived.

Following a Right of Reply by Councillor Harry Harpham, the original Motion was put to the vote and carried, as follows:

RESOLVED: That, as recommended by the Cabinet at its meeting held on 14^th January, 2015:-

(a)

the HRA Business Plan report for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix A to the report now submitted be approved;

(b)

the HRA Revenue Budget for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix B to the report be approved;

(c)

rents for Council dwellings be increased by 2.2% from April 2015;

(d)

rents for garages and garage sites be frozen at 2014/15 levels and not increased from April 2015;

(e)

Community Heating charges be not increased from April 2015;

(f)

the burglar alarm charge which is due to be amended during 2014/15 following a procurement be not increased from April 2015;

(g)

the Sheltered Housing service charge which is due to be amended during 2014/15 be not increased from April 2015;

(h)

charges for temporary accommodation and furnished accommodation be not increased;

(i)

the Director of Commissioning, Communities and the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, be granted delegated authority to authorise prudential borrowing as allowed under current government guidelines; and

(j)

the specific projects proposed in the report be brought forward for Member approval in accordance with the Council’s Capital Approval process as business cases are developed.