Decision Details

Amber Welham 

Finance Business Partner - Housing

amber.welham@eastsuffolk.gov.uk 

That Cabinet recommended that Council approved the following:

1. The draft HRA budget for 2025/26, and the indicative figures for 2026/27 to 2028/29;

2. Movements in HRA Reserves and Balances; That Cabinet notes the following:

3. Projected outturn position for 2024/25;

4. Changes affecting public and private sector housing and welfare;

5. Effects of the cost-of-living crisis to the HRA.

This report brought together all relevant information to enable Members to review, consider and comment upon the Council’s Housing Revenue Account budgets and movements in reserves and balances, before making final recommendations to Full Council on 19 February 2025. This report also forms the basis of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s review of the Budget at its meeting on 16 January 2025 as required under the Budget and Policy Framework. No changes to the report or budget were required following the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, however a couple of questions were raised of which formal responses will be attached as an appendix to the final report being presented to Full Council.

To advise Members of the wider housing and welfare changes that will impact on future service delivery.

The Council’s constitution requires the Chief Finance Officer to prepare and present to Cabinet and Full Council the Council’s HRA MTFS budget for approval. 

HRA Budget Setting: The Housing Revenue Account Budget forms part of the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework. The Council is required to set an annual budget and therefore no other options have been considered for this.