Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, Councillor Alisha Lewis

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            the interim HRA budget proposals for 2025/26 (shown at Appendix 2) are approved for consultation, including a proposed rent increase of 2.7% and changes to other rents and charges as detailed within the report;

2.            the proposed HRA capital programme is approved for consultation as shown at Appendix 3 and the detailed capital programme in Appendix 4;

3.            the revised HRA forecast for 2024/25 is noted;

4.            following the publication of the Local Government Provisional Finance Settlement, authority is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, to determine and approve any additional material that may be needed to support the presentation of the interim budget proposals for public consultation;

5.            consultation responses are sought by 31 January 2025.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets introduced her report which, following the transition of housing services back to Cheltenham Borough Council, highlights opportunities to make effective efficiency choices, and investment in improving housing stock and in local community projects.  These will ensure that standards are raised to the highest level across the housing portfolio, from stakeholders to tenants to shared owners.  She said it highlights potential growth opportunities, with spare funds to re-invest in homes for the first time in many years.

The Leader agreed that these first HRA interim budget proposals to be put forward since CBH was welcomed back in house are exciting, and encouraged as many Members and members of the public as possible to provide feedback.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.            the interim HRA budget proposals for 2025/26 (shown at Appendix 2) are approved for consultation, including a proposed rent increase of 2.7% and changes to other rents and charges as detailed within the report;

2.            the proposed HRA capital programme is approved for consultation as shown at Appendix 3 and the detailed capital programme in Appendix 4;

3.            the revised HRA forecast for 2024/25 is noted;

4.            following the publication of the Local Government Provisional Finance Settlement, authority is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, to determine and approve any additional material that may be needed to support the presentation of the interim budget proposals for public consultation;

5.            consultation responses are sought by 31 January 2025.