Agendas, reports and minutes

A meeting of the Housing and Property Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 31 January 2024 at 10.30am.

Webcast Notice: This meeting will be filmed and broadcast over the Internet on the Highland Council website and will be archived and available for viewing for 12 months thereafter.

You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.

Yours faithfully

Stewart Fraser
Head of Legal and Governance

BUSINESS

1.    Calling of the Roll and Apologies for Absence
Gairm a’ Chlàir agus Leisgeulan

2.    Declarations of Interest/Transparency Statement
Foillseachaidhean Com-pàirt/Aithris Fhollaiseachd

Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting.  Any Member making a declaration of interest should provide some information on the nature of the interest and leave the meeting at the appropriate time.  Advice may be sought from officers prior to the meeting taking place.

3.    Good News                                         
Naidheachdan Matha

The Committee is asked to note the good news as presented.

4.    Housing Revenue Account Estimates 2024/25     
Tuairmsean Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais 2024/25

There is circulated Report No HP/01/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to:

i.    approve a 7.95% rent increase which will result in an increase of £6.68 in the average weekly Council house rent from £83.17 to £89.85 per week. This increase for 2024/25 would still be lower than average Council house rents in Scotland for 2023/24;
ii.    note the above rent increase will be applied to all residential HRA rents and service charges, to Gypsy/Traveller site pitches and to non-HRA rents for leased properties (subject to lease agreements);
iii.    approve the increase to £15 per week in the new build supplement service charge to tenants moving into new build housing from 1 April 2024; and
iv.    note the current strategic review of the Housing Revenue Account which will enable the Committee in 2024 to agree long-term rental increases in line with a revised Housing Revenue Account Capital Plan.

5.    Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Non-HRA Budget Monitoring Statement to 31 December 2023     
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Buidseat Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais agus Neo-thaigheadais gu 31 An Dubhlachd 2023    

There is circulated Report No HP/02/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account and non-Housing Revenue Account 2023/2024 for the period to 31 December 2023.

6.    Property & Facilities Management Services Revenue Monitoring Statement Quarter 3 to 31 December 2023     
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Teachd-a-steach Sheirbheisean Rianachd Cuid-seilbh & Ghoireasan gu 31 An Dubhlachd 2023    

There is circulated Report No HP/03/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to note:

i.    the position for the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, and the predicted year-end position;
ii.    that the budget gap may change positively or negatively depending on the application of expenditure and recruitment controls, filling fee earning posts in an extremely challenging job market, adjusting services to meet previously agreed budget savings; in-year income recovery, and identifying new income and procurement opportunities; and
iii.    the progress update provided in relation to corporate budget savings delivery.

7.    Property Capital Monitoring Statement and Progress Update     
Aithris Sgrùdaidh Calpa Seilbhe agus Cunntas às Ùr air Adhartas    

There is circulated Report No HP/04/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to note the:

i.    position at the end of the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, and the estimated year-end position;
ii.    current position regarding the management of the works programmes and the delivery of the individual projects referred to in this report; and
iii.    various challenges faced this financial year and that are expected to continue into 2024/25. 

8.    Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Monitoring Report Quarter 3 Monitoring Report to 31 December 2023                    
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Calpa Cunntas Teachd-a-steach Taigheadais Cairteal 3 gu 31 An Dubhlachd 2023                                    

There is circulated Report No HP/05/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to approve the budget position on the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme 2023/2024 for the period to 31 December 2023.

9.    Housing Performance Report to 31 December 2023    
Aithisg Choileanaidh Taigheadais gu 31 An Dubhlachd 2023

There is circulated Report No HP/06/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is asked to note the information provided on housing performance in the period 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023.

10.    Service Performance Monitoring Report to 30 September 2023    
Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Coileanadh Seirbheis gu 30 Sultain 2023

There is circulated Report No HP/07/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to scrutinise and note the Service’s performance information.

11.    Strategic Housing Investment Programme 2024-2029    
Prògram Tasgaidh Taigheadais Ro-innleachdail 2024-2029

There is circulated Report No HP/08/24 by the Executive Chief Officer Housing and Property.

The Committee is invited to: 

i.    approve the Strategic Housing Investment Plan as attached as Appendix 1 to the report, for submission to the Scottish Government in draft form pending consideration by Area Committees; and
ii.    agree the indicative planned investment programme to 2029 contained in Appendix 2 to the report, subject to further discussion by Area Committees.