Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

Members returned to the chamber at 5:00pm.

This did not include Councillors C. Hay, Smith, Driver and Williams who had declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item. 

In the absence of the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor took the chair.

The Cabinet Member Finance was pleased to introduce the Housing Revenue Account revised budget for 20012/13 and the final budget proposals for 2013/14.  He believed the report was a positive one, not only because it showed sound management in the current financial year, but because it set out a very positive agenda for the future. 

The HRA budget for the year ahead included substantial investment in repairs and maintenance, energy saving measures and adaptations for disabled people.  It also recognised that housing was not simply about bricks and mortar but more so the security and wellbeing of the tenants.  This was why the budget provided for a number of new or enhanced services, including support for older people and disabled people, proposed enhanced services for young people and an expansion of employment services for tenants and their families.

Both cabinet members, and CBH recognised that many tenants and others would find themselves in difficulty because of the coming, complex changes in the welfare system, with some even finding themselves at risk of homelessness.  It was considered right therefore that CBH should respond to this by providing more information, advice and support to people struggling to cope with changes in their benefits and as such the budget proposed a range of measures to help people understand the new system, manage their money and pay their rent.  It also included more help for tenants in moving to more suitable accommodation if they chose to do so. 

This budget would allow CBH to strengthen their community services.  This would be particularly important in the Moors and the Tewkesbury Road area, where it would reinforce the work being done following the recent Big Local lottery grant.

The HRA budget had been through a consultation process with the Tenant Scrutiny Improvement Group, which was generally supportive.  It was an ambitious and socially responsible programme, but also a prudent and affordable one, leaving a very healthy £2.8 million revenue reserve at the end of the year and he was happy to commend it to council. 

In response to a question from a member, the Cabinet Member Finance advised that he was not aware of the purported £30million from Government to support those impacted by the changes to the welfare and benefit system.

Upon a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that

1.      The revised HRA budget and capital programme for 2012/13 be noted.

2.      The HRA budget for 2013/14 as shown at Appendix 2 including a proposed average rent increase of 3.43% (applied in accordance with national rent restructuring guidelines) and increases in other rents and charges as detailed at Appendix 5 be approved.

3.      The 2013/14 HRA capital programme as shown at Appendices 3 and 4 be approved.

4.      The 2013/14 management fees and charges for Cheltenham Borough Homes as detailed in Section 4 be approved.