Report:HRA Business Plan update, Budget 2024/25 & Capital Programme 2024/25–2028/29.

Presented by: Councillor Paul McGeary - Lead Member for Housing

Cabinet:

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 7.7% from the week commencing 1^st April 2024.

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 7.7% from the week commencing 1st April 2024.

4                     Agreed the four rent-free weeks for 2024/25 are: the week commencing of 26th August 2024; 16th December 2024; 23rd December 2024 and the 31^st March 2025.

5                     Agreed that service charges and heating and hot water charges for 2024/25 are as detailed in section 2.20 of this report.

6                     Agreed that charges for garages should be increased by 7.7% in 2024/25 as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of this report.

7                     Agreed that the service charge for the provision of intensive housing management support in sheltered housing for 2024/25 shall be as detailed in paragraph 2.25 of this report.

8                     Agreed the Supported Housing Charge for HRA Hostels as detailed in paragraph 2.31 of this report.

9                     Agreed that the rent charge to shared ownership leaseholders is increased by 8.9% as detailed in paragraph 2.7 of this report.  

10                 Agreed that the Care-line and Telecare support charge should be increased by 7.7% for 2024/25 as detailed in paragraph 2.28 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 4.4 – 4.12 and Appendix 1b of this report and refer it to Full Council for final ratification.

13                 Approved the acquisition of 47 affordable homes by the HRA on the Quarles Campus site from Mercury Land Holdings, as detailed in paragraph 4.10 of this report, and delegate approval of the contract terms and completion to the Strategic Director of Place, acting in consultation with the Strategic Director of Resources Officer and the Deputy Director of Legal & Governance.