Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

It was resolved –

·        To approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2018-48 and specifically the HRA budget for 2018/19 as set out within the Plan, for submission to the Welsh Government.

·        To approve the proposed Housing Capital Programme for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 3.

·        To delegate authority to the Head of Service (Housing) and the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer to make any amendments to the Business Plan, prior to submission to Welsh Government.

The report of the Head of Housing Services incorporating the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2018-48 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Housing Service Manager said that the Business Plan forms the primary tool for financial planning of the delivery and management of the Council’s housing and demonstrates how the Council brings all its stock to Welsh Housing Quality Standards; how the Council intends to maintain and exceed these Standards and the investment needed to increase the housing stock. The Business Plan assumes a development programme of 45 units in 2018-19, 60 units in 2019/20 and 100 units during 2021-22 which includes 40 new extra care housing units in the Seiriol area.

The Executive noted the information. The Executive queried whether it was feasible given that the Authority’s housing stock has achieved the Welsh Quality Housing Standards (WQHS) since 2012, to reduce the funding provision in the capital programme for repairs and maintenance works and to increase the provision for the development of new Council housing. The Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer said that having met the WHQS the Authority has to ensure it maintains the standards and continues to upgrade the stock. The Business Plan is based on projections in relation to the resources available and required to maintain the standards, as well as capacity for new build. A balance has to be struck between maintaining the current stock to Welsh Quality Housing Standards and making funds available to develop new council housing to meet housing needs. The Officer said that it is important to note also that the Business Plan has been stress tested to take account of the risks e.g. increased inflation, increased interest rates, increased repairs and maintenance cost etc. to ensure the viability of the Plan and the long-term sustainability of the HRA.

The Executive noted further that the numbers on the waiting list for 1 and 2 bedroom housing far exceeds that for 3 and 4 bedroom housing; it sought an explanation for the difference. The Housing Service Manager confirmed that there has been a change in demand; the service undertakes an affordability test before families move into social housing given that families may not always be able to afford 3 bedroom homes. Also, there has been a demographic change with an increase in the number of single and older people seeking one bedroom homes.

It was resolved –

•  To approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2018-48 and specifically the HRA budget for 2018/19 as set out within the Plan, for submission to the Welsh Government.

•  To approve the proposed Housing Capital Programme for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 3.

•  To delegate authority to the Head of Service (Housing) and the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer to make any amendments to the Business Plan, prior to submission to Welsh Government.