Decisions

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) is more relevant and
important than ever. With the Social Housing White Paper
placing a greater emphasis on tenant engagement, the HRA
must ensure its management function is strong and
anticipates the needs of residents. With the Government
keen to “build back better” after the pandemic the HRA must
continue to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes and
contribute towards the reduction in use of temporary
accommodation (TA) to aid the General Fund. With carbon
net zero a global goal, the green credentials of new build
homes and the retrofitting of existing stock are also of
paramount importance in the HRA.

Agree that delegated authority is given to the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Head of Finance and IT, and the Portfolio Holders for Housing and Finance, to acquire land up to the value of £5m be extended to include s106 acquisitions up to the value of £5m
The acquisition of Hope house, High Halden has been acquired in November/December 2023 (this is a s106 site of 10 homes)

Purchase under delegated authority reference; Recommendation III of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2021-2052

The Council’s 30-year business plan for its Housing Revenue Account (HRA) underpins its strategic thinking and helps evaluate forthcoming plans holistically. This is critical when the national focus is on local authorities accelerating delivery and, as this report outlines, the Council is looking to expand its own new-build plans and acquisitions.
The financial model forecast that the HRA business plan continues to be a robust and viable business and is able to deliver its key priorities, even in the context of a significantly increased programme. However, national political, economic and legislative changes could adversely affect the financial position, so risks must be considered and capacity built into the overall model.
This report included, as an appendix (Appendix D), the Council’s new Affordable Housing Delivery Plan 2019-2023 for members to endorse, which sets out how the right homes will be delivered in the right places and the strategic context in which the delivery programme sits, enabling work with Registered Providers and acquisitions (land and on-street purchases).
Agree that given the positive impact of street purchases on the overall programme, the existing delegation to the Head of Housing (no.14.9) be amended as set out in paragraph 35 of the 2019 October Cabinet report.
In line with the above the acquisition of 129 properties off the open market have been completed since the date of this report..

Purchased under delegated authority reference: recommendation VI of the Housing – Current Delivery, Finance and Onward Strategy approved on 10.10.2019