This report presents the HRA Budget recommendations for agreement by Cabinet and recommendations on to Council for consideration and approval.

Report and appendices attached.

1                     Approved the Housing Revenue Account Budget as detailed in paragraph 3.5.

2                     Agreed that the rents chargeable for tenants in general needs Council properties owned by the London Borough of Havering be increased by 7.0% from the week commencing 3^rd April 2023.

3                     Agreed that the rents chargeable for tenants in supported housing Council properties, such as sheltered housing and hostels, owned by the London Borough of Havering, are increased by 7.0% from the week commencing 3^rd April 2023.

4                     Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2023/24 are: the week commencing of 28^th August 2023, 18^th & 25^th December 2023 and the 25^th March 2024.

5                     Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2023/24 are as detailed in paragraph 3.14 of this report.

6                     Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 7.0% in 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 2.10 of this report.

7                     Agreed that the service charge for the provision of intensive housing management support in sheltered housing for 2023/24 shall be as detailed in paragraph 3.17 of this report.

8                     Agreed the Supported Housing Charge for HRA Hostels as detailed in paragraph 3.23 of this report.

9                     Agreed that the rent charge to shared ownership leaseholders is increased by 7% as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of this report.  

10                 Agreed that the Careline and Telecare support charge should be increased by 7.0% for 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 3.21 of this report.

11                 Approved the HRA Major Works Capital Programme, detailed in Appendix 1a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

12                 Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing for the 12 Estates Joint Venture and other acquisition and regeneration opportunities detailed in section and Appendix 1b of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

Cabinet was presented with the HRA Business Plan update, Budget 2023/24 & Capital Programme 2023/24–2027/28

Report introduced by Councillor Paul McGeary

This report sets a budget for the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and HRA Major Works and Capital Programme. Cabinet approved the Housing Asset Management Plan 2021-2051 in October 2021 and the budgets and projections of expenditure required to maintain the stock to a good standard have been used in the preparation of the capital programme in this report. A summary is provided of the HRA Business Plan 2023-2053.

The Cabinet agreed the following:

1.     Approved the Housing Revenue Account Budget as detailed in paragraph 3.5.

2.     Agreed that the rents chargeable for tenants in general needs Council properties owned by the London Borough of Havering be increased by 7.0% from the week commencing 3^rd April 2023.

3.     Agreed that the rents chargeable for tenants in supported housing Council properties, such as sheltered housing and hostels, owned by the London Borough of Havering, are increased by 7.0% from the week commencing 3^rd April 2023.

4.     Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2023/24 are: the week commencing of 28^th August 2023, 18^th & 25^th December 2023 and the 25^th March 2024.

5.     Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2023/24 are as detailed in paragraph 3.14 of this report.

6.     Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 7.0% in 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 2.10 of this report.

7.     Agreed that the service charge for the provision of intensive housing management support in sheltered housing for 2023/24 shall be as detailed in paragraph 3.17 of this report.

8.     Agreed the Supported Housing Charge for HRA Hostels as detailed in paragraph 3.23 of this report.

9.     Agreed that the rent charge to shared ownership leaseholders is increased by 7% as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of this report.  

10.Agreed that the Careline and Telecare support charge should be increased by 7.0% for 2023/24 as detailed in paragraph 3.21 of this report.

11.Approved the HRA Major Works Capital Programme, detailed in Appendix 1a of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

12.Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing for the 12 Estates Joint Venture and other acquisition and regeneration opportunities detailed in section and Appendix 1b of this report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

Overview & Scrutiny Meeting 7^th February  2023

At its meeting on 7 February 2023, the Overview and Scrutiny Board agreed the following comments and recommendations for consideration and response by the Cabinet:

·        That the importance of securing a good performance by the housing contractor be recognised, given the impact of this on the budget through for example the imposition of penalty clauses.

·        The Board agrees that the formula for Social Care Grant allocations is not fair to Havering. It is therefore important that any monies for Social Care are spent appropriately. Evidence on how such services are delivered in other boroughs should be considered.

·        Clarity is needed over which proposals respondents to the consultation feel will have the most negative effect on them, as shown in section 6.8 of the Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy report.

·        That Cabinet undertakes a review of the use of earmarked reserves.

·        Officer training should be reviewed to maximise the cost savings from the investment in IT.

·        That details be provided on the impact assessments undertaken on the proposed reduction in the level of adult social care equipment provided and the review of subsidies for assistive technology provided to residents.

·        The impact of the closure of the Corbets Tey toilets should be fully considered.

·        That an explanation be provided of why the fee charged to utility companies for road closures is to be reduced.

·        That clarification be given of why fines for flytipping and fixed penalty notices are not being reduced. Whilst accepting these levels are controlled by London Councils, the Board would like to establish what lobbying of London Councils has been undertaken on these issues.

·        That an explanation be provided of why charges for solo motorcycle parking are being introduced when there was no such charge previously.

The Cabinet reviewed the above comments and a response will be provided to the Overview & Scrutiny Board.