Issue - items at meetings - Housing Revenue Account Budget update 2013/14

Report of the Strategic Director, Place

38.1  The Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Place, which provided information on the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget 2013/14.

38.2    Councillor Farrow noted that when the level of rent was set a prescribed calculation was used. This calculation included an element for the average manual wage for Sussex, and suggested that an average wage for Brighton & Hove be used instead. Officers noted the suggestion.

38.3    Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.8 and asked who had taken the decision to move money from the Capital Fund to the Revenue Fund. Officers advised that Mears had now provided improved information for all their overhead costs, and that had now been more accurately divided between the two funds. The change was a more accurate way of recording the amount spent, but the overall costs remained the same. Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.12 regarding additional staff needed to support the future HRA housing development and regeneration projects and asked who had authorised it. Officers confirmed that a new position had been created to oversee the developments. The Chair said that clarification would be obtained on who had taken that decision. Councillor Mears was concerned that the report had been provided late and she had not had time to fully consider the issues.

38.4    Councillor Robins asked why the report had been late, and was advised that the report was due to go to the next Housing Committee but it had been ‘early’ to HMCSC for information.

38.2 RESOLVED That the Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee declined to agree with the recommendation that the report be noted.