Decision details

Matter for Decision

The report presented a summary of the 2013/14 outturn position (actual income and expenditure) for services within the housing revenue account, compared to the current budget for the year.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

The Executive Councillor for Housing resolved to:

     i.        Agree that the carry forward requests, totalling £3,393,320 as detailed in Appendix C, are to be recommended to Council for approval.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Business Manager/Principal Accountant.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Queried why the cost of Council Tax had to be met from the Housing Revenue Account in respect of void properties was significantly higher than anticipated.

    ii.        Asked if the higher cost of Council Tax was likely to occur for the next financial year and what can be done to avoid this from happening again.

In response to Members’ questions the Executive Councillor for Housing and Officers confirmed the following:

     i.        Would like to make the Committee aware that when referring to underspend this equates to savings that had been carried forward through planning and hard work of those involved. 

    ii.        Explained that when the Government reduced funding for Council tax support, a number of exemptions were removed to void properties due to Council Tax discounts and Exemptions Policies from April 2014, in conjunction with lengthy void periods in properties vacated for demolition.

   iii.        Advised it was unlikely that the cost of Council Tax would be as high for this financial year as some of the properties would be demolished negating the cost.  In terms of general void properties it was aimed to turn these round quickly. 

The Committee:

Resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendation.  

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor