Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)            The revenue budget for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles:

(i)         That dwelling rents are increased by 4.8 per cent (Consumer Price Index for September 2025 + 1 per cent) from 6 April 2026 in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Policy statement on rents for social housing. 

(ii)       That garage, garage bases and parking plot rental charges are increased by 4.8 percent from 6 April 2026 and 11 per cent in parts of Poole so that charges continue to align.

(iii)      That leasehold services are charged to leaseholders in line with actual costs incurred.

(iv)      That shared ownership dwelling rents are increased in line with lease terms.

(v)       That the changes to service charges are agreed as set out in appendix 2.

(vi)      That HRA reserves are set at £4.8 million. 

(b)           That the Income and Expenditure budget for 2026/7 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 as set out in Appendix 3 is agreed.

(c)           That capital budgets for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29are set using the following principles.

(i)       That the major project capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 is noted.

(ii)      That £0.5 million for the acquisition of individual properties (Acquire and Repair) and other annual capital budgets are agreed.

(iii)    That the planned maintenance programme as set out in Appendix 5 is agreed.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Kieron Wilson presented the report on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting 2026-27 and outlined the recommendations as set out in the agenda papers.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)           The revenue budget for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles:

(i)         That dwelling rents are increased by 4.8 per cent (Consumer Price Index for September 2025 + 1 per cent) from 6 April 2026 in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Policy statement on rents for social housing.

(ii)       That garage, garage bases and parking plot rental charges are increased by 4.8 percent from 6 April 2026 and 11 per cent in parts of Poole so that charges continue to align.

(iii)     That leasehold services are charged to leaseholders in line with actual costs incurred.

(iv)     That shared ownership dwelling rents are increased in line with lease terms.

(v)       That the changes to service charges are agreed as set out in appendix 2.

(vi)     That HRA reserves are set at £4.8 million.

(b)           That the Income and Expenditure budget for 2026/7 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 as set out in Appendix 3 is agreed.

(c)           That capital budgets for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles.

(i)         That the major project capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 is noted.

(ii)       That £0.5 million for the acquisition of individual properties (Acquire and Repair) and other annual capital budgets are agreed.

(iii)      That the planned maintenance programme as set out in Appendix 5 is agreed.

Voting: Unanimous

Councillor Felicity Rice joined the meeting at 7.32pm

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is a separate account within the council’s budgets that ring-fences the income and expenditure associated with council housing. 

This report sets out the proposals regarding increases to rents, service charges and other charges to tenants and leaseholders. Arrangements for these increases are separate to arrangements for increasing fees elsewhere in the council and are set out in law and regulation.

The report also sets out plans for expenditure on services to residents, repairs and improvements to homes and the provision of new homes taking into account new legal and regulatory requirements.

This report also demonstrates how council housing and spending within the HRA supports the council’s corporate strategy and objectives.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is a separate account within the council’s budgets that ring-fences the income and expenditure associated with council housing. 

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the report set out the proposals regarding increases to rents, service charges and other charges to tenants and leaseholders, and that arrangements for these increases were separate to arrangements for increasing fees elsewhere in the council and are set out in law and regulation.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that the report also set out plans for expenditure on services to residents, repairs and improvements to homes and the provision of new homes taking into account new legal and regulatory requirements, and that it demonstrated how council housing and spending within the HRA supports the council’s corporate strategy and objectives.

In addition thanks and praise were expressed to the Officers and Portfolio Holder in respect of the recent inspection whereby BCP Homes had received the highest grade possible for housing standards and service for housing provision.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(a)            The revenue budget for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 are set using the following principles:

(i)         That dwelling rents are increased by 4.8 per cent (Consumer Price Index for September 2025 + 1 per cent) from 6 April 2026 in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Policy statement on rents for social housing. 

(ii)        That garage, garage bases and parking plot rental charges are increased by 4.8 percent from 6 April 2026 and 11 per cent in parts of Poole so that charges continue to align.

(iii)       That leasehold services are charged to leaseholders in line with actual costs incurred.

(iv)      That shared ownership dwelling rents are increased in line with lease terms.

(v)        That the changes to service charges are agreed as set out in appendix 2.

(vi)      That HRA reserves are set at £4.8 million. 

(b)           That the Income and Expenditure budget for 2026/7 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29 as set out in Appendix 3 is agreed.

(c)           That capital budgets for 2026/27 and provisionally for 2027/28 to 2028/29are set using the following principles.

(i)       That the major project capital programme as set out in Appendix 4 is noted.

(ii)      That £0.5 million for the acquisition of individual properties (Acquire and Repair) and other annual capital budgets are agreed.

(iii)    That the planned maintenance programme as set out in Appendix 5 is agreed.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Housing and Regulatory Services

Reason

HRA rents and other charges along with the HRA Capital Programme are subject to review and require Cabinet and Council approval for rents and charges to be levied.