Cabinet:

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

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 w/c 2 April 2018 in line with the indicative figures contained in paragraph 2.1.7 of the 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 w/c 2 April 2018 in line with the indicative figures contained in paragraph 2.1.8 and 2.1.9 of the report.

4.              Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2018/19 as being: w/c 20 August 2018, the two weeks commencing 17 and 24 December 2018, and the week commencing 25 March 2019.

5.              Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2018/19 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 2018/19 are as detailed in paragraph 2.2.3 of the report.

7.              Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 7.5% in 2018/19 as detailed in paragraph 2.3.1 of the report

8.              Agreed that the service charge for the provision of security and support in sheltered housing for 2017/18 shall be as detailed in paragraph 2.4.1 of the report. 

9.              Agreed that the Careline support charge should be increased by 4% for 2018/19 as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of the report.

10.           Agreed that the Telecare support charges should be increased by 4% for 2018/19 as detailed in paragraph 2.5.1 of this report.

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

12.     Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing for the 12 Sites Joint Venture, detailed in paragraphs 3.19.1 to 3.19.8 and Appendix 2a of the report and refer it to full Council for final ratification.

13.     Approved the HRA Capital expenditure and financing to acquire up to 375 affordable dwellings from the Bridge Close JVLLP, detailed in paragraphs 3.20.1 to 3.20.5 and Appendix 2a of the report and refer it to full Council for final ratification. 

14.     Agreed to delegate to the Lead Member for Housing, after consultation with the Director of Neighbourhoods, the Monitoring Officer and the s151 Officer, authority to finalise agreement on the terms of the acquisition of affordable housing on Bridge Close referred to in recommendation 13 of the report.

.

15.     Agreed to redirect both the balance in the RTB debt repayment reserve and future RTB attributable debt receipts towards the funding of the Estate Regeneration Programme and associated vacant possession costs.

16.     Agreed to release balances and redirect the proceeds from the disposal of HRA shared ownership properties and other HRA disposals towards the funding of the Estate Regeneration Programme, associated costs of vacant possession and the HRA New Build Programme.