Cabinet Member for Housing
Decision:
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet approved the proposed HRA Business Plan along with the overarching aims as set out in this report.
1.2 That an annual review of the HRA Business Plan takes place, and any amendments, changes, or updates were reported to Cabinet as part of the annual budget setting process.
REASON FOR DECISION
To ensure Babergh have an HRA Business Plan, which will be meet the Councils overarching Housing aims over the next five years
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
2.1 To continue with the current version of the HRA Business Plan, which was adopted in 2017. However, it is felt this would prevent us managing the HRA effectively as many changes have occurred since 2017, including the Climate Emergency declared by both Councils in 2019.
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
18.1 The Chair, Councillor Arthey invited the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Osborne to introduce the report.
18.2 The Cabinet Member for Housing provided a detailed introduction to the report and moved the recommendations in the report.
18.3 Councillor McLaren seconded the recommendations.
18.4 Councillor Osborne thanked the Director for Housing, Gavin Fisk for how he had led the team though the tough covid pandemic, and all his hard work whilst working for the Council and wished him well in his new role.
18.5 In response to other Members attending the meeting the Cabinet Member for Housing Councillor Osborne, stated that 98 new homes were delivered last year. The 65 new homes in the report were an aspirational target set for the Council to achieve whilst the HRA Business Plan would be reviewed going forward.
18.6 In response to questions from other Members attending the meeting the Director for Housing clarified that Fixed Term Tenancies had not been adopted, however work was being undertaken to review and update the Strategic Tenancy Policy and he would look at the references report and respond further outside of the meeting.
18.7 Councillor McLaren queried homes acquired under Section 106 in relation to the new Design guide and the Cabinet Member for Housing responded that the Design Guide would be relevant for the houses built by the Council whilst being made available to developers in the District.
18.8 The Assistant Director for Assets and Investments provided details of the Section 106 properties and the related agreements with developers.
18.9 In response to Councillor Busby’s question with regards to the CPI and how this was mitigated by the HRA, the Director for Housing responded that the Council would have to wait until April 2023 for the Government to decide on how to manage the CPI in the future, whoever the HRA would be able to absorb any increases in the CPI.
18.10 Councillor McCraw queried the annual review of the HRA Business plan, and the Director for Housing clarified that the Business Plan was a framework and would be updated on an ongoing basis. The Financial budget for next year would be set in the coming weeks.
18.11 Councillor Gould referred to the ‘My Home Portal’ and the digital transformation in relations to consultation and how engagement with residents were progressing.
18.12 The Cabinet Member for Customers, Digital Transformation and Improvement, Councillor McCraw detailed the recent developments and that work for a new IT platform was being undertaken. Improvements were being implemented to make tenant more aware of the options available to them. The Director for Housing added that there had been an increase of the uptake of users for the ‘My Home Portal’ and that staff was encouraged to promote it to tenants. He listed the current projects, which involved tenancy engagement and further that several consultations had taken place in the past year to identify areas for improvements.
It was RESOLVED: -
1.1 That Cabinet approved the proposed HRA Business Plan along with the overarching aims as set out in this report.
1.2 That an annual review of the HRA Business Plan takes place, and any amendments, changes, or updates were reported to Cabinet as part of the annual budget setting process.
REASON FOR DECISION
To ensure Babergh have an HRA Business Plan, which will be meet the Councils overarching Housing aims over the next five years
Supporting documents: