Issue - items at meetings - Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2011 - 2014

Joint report of the Strategic Director, Place and the Director of Finance (copy attached).

(1)         That Cabinet approves the capital programme budget of £30.697 million and financing for 2011/12 as set out in paragraph 4.1.

167.1          The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Strategic Director, Place and the Director of Finance concerning the 2011/12 capital programme for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and a provisional capital programme 2012/13 and 2013/14.

167.2          Councillor Randall welcomed proposals within the programme, but remarked that they were only small initiatives in light of the significant housing shortage within the city and the 50% reduction in the Government’s capital housing programme; housing associations (HAs) were finding it increasingly difficult to provide housing in key schemes.

167.3          The Chairman stated that HAs were set up using public money and possessed assets that could be used to raise money. She commended the loft conversion and extension programmes that enabled people to achieve additional space whilst staying in their homes and communities.

167.4          Councillor Caulfield explained that when registered social landlords (RSLs) had sufficient funds they did not build housing that fitted the needs of the city; the Government proposals meant that the council would be able to build affordable family homes and RSLs should consider how they could utilise their assets to contribute.

167.5          RESOLVED – That, having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet accepted the following recommendations:

(1)         That the capital programme budget of £30.697 million and financing for 2011/12, as set out in paragraph 4.1, be approved.