Issue - meetings

1.         That the HRA Outturn figures for 2018/19 be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the Report.

2.         That the carry forward items from 2018/19 be noted and the re-forecast HRA Budget for 2019/20 as detailed in Paragraph 11.4 and Appendix 3 of the Report be approved.

3.         That the Housing capital programme outturn for major works and new build developments be noted, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.7 to 11.8 and Appendices 4 & 5 of the Report.

4.         That the funding of the 2019/20 HRA capital programme be approved, as detailed in Paragraph 11.10 and Appendix 6 of the Report.

5.         That the re-forecast capital programme budget of £34.46m for 2019/20 be supported, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.13 and Appendix 7 of the Report.

Councillor Learney introduced the report and welcomed the achievements during over 2018/19.  She thanked the Housing Team for their work.

Ian Tait spoke during public participation as summarised below:

·         Very concerned regarding the discontinuation of the previous Cabinet (Housing) Committee and the consequential lack of involvement of TACT members in housing related decisions;

·         He believed the lack of a dedicated committee on housing also gave the impression that the Council did not consider housing matters to be as important, as for example the new Kings Barton development (as there was a Kings Barton Forum).

At the invitation of the Deputy Leader, Councillor Horrill addressed Cabinet as summarised below:

·         Congratulations to the Housing Team for their work;

·         Further consideration would be given to the future involvement of TACT;

·         The Housing Strategy should continue to examine new ways to provide additional new homes;

·         The Council should continue to focus on ensuring the quality of the existing housing stock was maintained, including the broader environment in which residents’ lived.

During debate, Cabinet Members commented that the Kings Barton Forum fulfilled an important role in ensuring the cohesion for a growing new housing development.  With regard to the discontinuation of the Cabinet Committees, the role of the new Policy Committees was emphasised, in particular the Business and Housing Policy Committee.  In addition, it was proposed to establish “decision days” where Cabinet Members took decisions in public, which could include housing related matters.

Councillor Learney acknowledged the criticism regarding the requirement to continue to involve TACT members and advised that she, and the Chair of Business and Housing Policy Committee, would shortly be meeting TACT Members to discuss their effective involvement in the democratic process.  She also emphasised the importance of providing new housing for residents in general, not just through the HRA, and proposals for the establishment of a housing company were being progressed to examine this further.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the Report.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the HRA Outturn figures for 2018/19 be approved, as detailed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the Report.

2.         That the carry forward items from 2018/19 be noted and the re-forecast HRA Budget for 2019/20 as detailed in Paragraph 11.4 and Appendix 3 of the Report be approved.

3.         That the Housing capital programme outturn for major works and new build developments be noted, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.7 to 11.8 and Appendices 4 & 5 of the Report.

4.         That the funding of the 2019/20 HRA capital programme be approved, as detailed in Paragraph 11.10 and Appendix 6 of the Report.

5.         That the re-forecast capital programme budget of £34.46m for 2019/20 be supported, as detailed in Paragraphs 11.13 and Appendix 7 of the Report.