Cabinet:

1.              Approved the Housing Revenue Account Budget as detailed in Appendix 1. 

2.              Agreed that the average rents chargeable for tenants in general needs Council properties owned by the London Borough of Havering be decreased by 1% from the week commencing  2^nd  April 2019 in line with the indicative figures contained in paragraph 2.1.4 of this report.

3.              Agreed that the average rents chargeable for tenants in supported housing Council properties, such as sheltered housing and hostels, owned by the London Borough of Havering, be reduced by 1% from the week commencing 2nd April 2019 in line with the indicative figures contained in paragraph 2.1.4 of this report.

4.              Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2019/20 as being: week commencing 19th August 2019, the two weeks commencing 16^th and 23^rd December 2019, and the week commencing 30^th March 2020.

5.              Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2019/20 are as detailed in paragraph 2.2.2 of this report.

6.              Agreed that the service charges for homeless households accommodated in the Council’s hostels in 2019/20 are as detailed in paragraph 2.2.3 of this report.                               

7.              Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 3.4% in 2019/20 as detailed in paragraph 2.3.1 of this report

8.              Agreed that the service charge for the provision of intensive housing managementsupport in sheltered housing for 2019/20 shall be as detailed in paragraph 2.4.1of this report. 

9.              Agreed that the Careline support charge should be increased by 3.4% for 2019/20 as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of this report.

10.           Agreed that the Telecare support charges should be increased by 3.4% for 2019/20 as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of this report.

11.     Approved the HRA Major Works Capital Programme, detailed in Appendix 2a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

12.     Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing for the 12 Sites Joint Venture and Bridge Close detailed in paragraphs 3.5.1 to 3.5.17 and Appendix 2a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

13.     Approved the £10m Estate Improvement Programme detailed in paragraph 4.4 and Appendix 2a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

Councillor Joshua Chapman, Cabinet lead member for Housing presented the report to Cabinet.  This detailed the Housing Revenue Account Budget and HRA Capital programme.

2019 is the last year of the 1% reduction in rents so the Council has had no option than to reduce rents by this amount.  Next  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37