Issue - meetings

Report E/20/30 presents proposals for Housing Revenue Account rent levels which must be calculated in accordance with the Governments Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing 2018.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the report which outlined proposals for Housing Revenue Account rent levels which needed be calculated in accordance with the Governments Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing 2018.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that a 1.5% rent increase was proposed following four years of 1% annual rent reductions from April 2016 in accordance with the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016.

In response to a query concerning the decision making for rents in relation to the draft budget, the Chief Finance Officer explained that the decision for housing rents was an Executive decision which was usually taken in January of each year so that the financial systems were updated before the end of the financial year.

RESOLVED:

To approve the proposed 1.5% rent increase for 2021/22.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To allow rent levels to be set in advance of the coming financial year following the government’s policy on rents for social housing from 1 April 2020 onwards.