Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance and Assets

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets said it was his privilege to present this budget, at the heart of which are tenants, residents, and making sure that their homes are safe, warm, and well-managed.  Tenant feedback at the Cabinet Housing Committee had guided priorities, and he thanked everyone on that committee for their hard work over the last 18 months.

Residents are under financial pressure as a result of the high cost of living, and the council must invest to make sure that rent levels are affordable and living standards raised, as well as adding to the affordable housing stock at every opportunity.  This is a steady, sensible plan with tenants at its heart – council housing is not a service, it is a foundation. 

There were no Member questions.

A Member of the Green Group said they were pleased to have participated on Treasury Management Panel and Asset Management Working Group, to learn about decision- making, outside the housing revenue account. There were some tight decisions to be made, but the improvements in disability access and attention being given to keeping people safe and well in their homes is much appreciated.  Thanks to officers for their hard work.

The PAB councillor also appreciated the work done, especially around affordable housing.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets formally proposed the HRA budged proposals for 2026-27 and revised forecast for 2025-26.

In debate, Members made the following comments:

-       as a member of housing committee, it is great to look at the numbers and the changes in movements in support of what the council has been doing and is trying to achieve – this is very much a reflection of discussions at Cabinet Housing Committee about what needs to be done.  As a ‘critical friend’, the committee has seen significant improvements, but also increased costs at times; the money spent reflects what the committee wanted and it is good to see everything coming together; hopefully full implementation of stable processes will create more financial stability.  We are in a good place;

-       it is important to remember there is quite a correlation between areas of town with the highest statistical deprivation and where a lot of council housing stock is situated, and when looking at what we can do as a council to help people balance their budgets, encourage them to consider solar panels, insulation, and other services which will allow them to spend less on heating and more on looking after themselves;

-       as Mayor, he has seen at first hand some of the work that Cheltenham Borough Council Housing, including Enrich and work of the community investment teams,  have done, investing in young people, and making a positive difference to their lives; 

-       it is worth reflecting where we have come from and where we have got to in the last 18 months, since the decision was made that the best way to serve residents was for CBC to take Cheltenham Borough Homes back in house.  20  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

Report of Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, Councillor Peter Jeffries

RESOLVED THAT:  Cabinet recommends that Council:

1.            approves the final HRA budget proposals for 2026/27 shown at Appendix 2.

2.            notes that a rent increase of 4.80% for social rent homes, affordable homes and shared ownership homes and changes to other rents and charges as detailed within this report has already been approved.

3.            approves the HRA capital programme as shown at Appendix 3 and the detailed capital programme in Appendix 4

4.            notes the revised HRA forecast for 2025/26 and impact on the HRA balance.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets was pleased to present the Housing Revenue Account Budget; housing services have been on a journey, and this reinforces the need to secure the HRA.  Like the General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget Proposals, it will also be debated at Full Council on Friday, but he wanted to put on record his thanks to Cabinet Housing Committee and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services for all their hard work and tenant engagement.

RESOLVED THAT:  Cabinet recommends that Council:

1.            approves the final HRA budget proposals for 2026/27 shown at Appendix 2.

2.            notes that a rent increase of 4.80% for social rent homes, affordable homes and shared ownership homes and changes to other rents and charges as detailed within this report has already been approved.

3.            approves the HRA capital programme as shown at Appendix 3 and the detailed capital programme in Appendix 4

4.            notes the revised HRA forecast for 2025/26 and impact on the HRA balance.