POLICY & RESOURCES

COMMITTEE/

BUDGET COUNCIL

Agenda Item 124

Subject:		Housing Revenue Account Budget & Capital Investment Programme 2023/24 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

Date of Meeting:		18 January 2023 Housing Committee 9 February 2023 Policy & Resources Committee 23 February 2023 Budget Council
Contact Officer:	Name:	Shaun Hughes	Tel:	01273 290569
	E-mail:	shaun.hughes@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Wards Affected:		All Wards

For General release

60.8 RESOLVED: That the Housing Committee:

2.1 Approves a rent increase of up to 7% in line with government legislation as detailed in paragraph 4.6 of the report as amended.

2.2 Approves the service charges and fees as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report as amended.

2.3 Notes the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and 30-year financial projections shown in Appendix 4 to the report.

2.4 Approves the Travellers fees and Charges set out in Appendix 5 to the report.

That Housing Committee approves and recommends to Policy & Resources Committee:

2.5 That the updated HRA Revenue Budget for 2023/24 as shown in section 4 of the main report and Appendix 1 to the report be agreed and recommended to Full Council for approval as amended.

2.6 Approve a capital programme of £57.791m for 2023/24 be agreed and the 5-year programme as set out in Appendix 3 as amended to the report be noted, and recommended to Full Council for approval; and

That Full Council:

2.7 Approves the updated HRA Revenue Budget for 2023/24 as shown in section 4 of the main report and Appendix 1 to the report as amended.

2.8 Approve a capital programme of £57.791m for 2023/24 and notes the 5-year programme as set out in Appendix 3 as amended to the report.

Brighton & Hove City Council

Housing Committee

4.00pm 18 January 2023

MINUTES

Present: Councillors: Gibson (Joint Chair), Hugh-Jones (Joint Chair), Williams (Opposition Spokesperson), Fowler, Meadows, Osborne, Phillips and Powell.

Substitutes: Councillor Barnett for Councillor Mears and Councillor Grimshaw for Councillor Mcintosh.

Apologies: Councillors Mears and Mcintosh

PART ONE<AI1>

Item 60: Housing Revenue Account Budget & Capital Investment

Programme 2023/24 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy

60.1 The Assistant Director Housing Management introduced the report to the committee.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

60.2 Councillor Grimshaw was informed by the Chair that the amendment sought to spread costs of service charges. The Assistant Director Housing Management stated that residents would be supported, including those above the Universal Credit threshold.

60.3 Councillor Williams was informed by the Assistant Director Housing Management that travellers on pitches would receive support.

60.4 Councillor Meadows was informed by the Chair that it was understood that the HRA fund was not a general fund and budget review meetings were ongoing, there will be a saving on field officers removal and rent collection enforcement was ongoing. The Coldean and Belgrave joint venture would deliver homes at the lowest rents ever achieved, with half to the council and half to Hyde Homes. The Assistant Director Housing Management noted that the apprenticeships were ongoing as were the installation of access points. The council are looking at damp and condensation in council homes following the recent Rochdale case. The Principal Accountant noted that the service charges would increase as a result of the utilities increase, with the budget increasing to help tenants with the cost-of-living. The Assistant Director Housing Management stated they would supply the councillor with noise pollution figures.

60.5 Councillor Gibson introduced the amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Williams. Councillor Meadows did not support the amendment.

Vote

60.6 A vote was taken, and by 8 to 1 the committee agreed to accept the amendment.

(Councillor Barnett left the meeting and took no part in the vote or decision making process).