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HRA and procedures combined

Renfrewshire Council · 2 March 2023
Back to Council — 2 March 2023 and its agenda

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PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED AT THE 
MEETING OF RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL 
TO BE HELD ON 2 MARCH 2023 
DURING CONSIDERATION OF ITEM 5 CONCERNING 
THE HOUSING REVENUE ACOUNT BUDGET, RENT LEVELS
2023/2024 AND HOUSING CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN 
2023/2024-2027/2028 
The purpose of this note is to give Members advance notice of the procedure which Provost
Cameron has agreed should be followed at the Meeting of the Council on 2 March 2023 viz:
1. The Convener of the Communities and Housing Policy Board (the Convener) will make her
budget statement for financial year 2023/2024 and move as appropriate. She will then
speak to the principal points of her proposals. The motion will require to be seconded.
2. For the purposes of the subsequent discussion and voting, the Convener's proposals will be
taken as one motion.
3. An opportunity will then be given to the Leaders of the opposition groups and any other
Members to move, and to have duly seconded, comprehensive amendments to the motion
(i.e. taking together budget proposals, the rent levels and the capital investment plans).
4. The motion and any amendments will require to be produced in writing and a copy given to
each of the Members present prior to being spoken to at the meeting. Provost Cameron
may then adjourn the meeting for 20 minutes to allow Members to consider the terms of the
motion by the administration and any amendments by the opposition groups or other
Members.  Corporate Meeting Rooms have been arranged for the adjournment as follows:
Administration – Corporate Meeting Room 2, Labour - Corporate Meeting Room 1,
Conservative – Corporate Meeting Room 3.  The other Members will be able to remain in
the Chambers.
5. There shall be no formal restriction upon the length of time given to the Convener and the
Leaders of the opposition groups and other Members to move their respective budget
statements and speak in support of the principal points of their proposals. However, Provost
Cameron shall have the power to require any person speaking to limit their speech in order
to facilitate the conduct of the meeting.
6. Provost Cameron will then invite other Members to take part in the debate.
7. The debate will conclude with Provost Cameron giving the Convener an opportunity to
reply.
8. A vote or votes will then be taken in accordance with the provisions of standing orders.

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___________________________________________________________________ 
To: Council 
On: 2 March 2023
___________________________________________________________________ 
Report by: Director of Communities & Housing and Director of Finance &
Resources
___________________________________________________________________ 
Heading: Housing Revenue Account Budget & Rent Levels 2023/24 and
Housing Capital Investment Plan 2023/24 to 2027/28
___________________________________________________________________ 
1. Summary 
1.1 This report details the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for
financial year 2023/24 and sets out the information which allows consideration
of rent levels for 2023/24.   
1.2 The report highlights the impact of the economic pressures on the HRA and
sets out the range of operational pressures that have emerged and the
adjustments to budgets and resources required to deal with these pressures. 
1.3 The report provides members with the results from the consultation process
with tenants regarding the annual rent setting process. The consultation
process asked five key questions regarding the priorities our tenants have
identified previously and as to whether they felt they were still very important,
important, or not important. The consultation results show that only 3.8% of
responses have deemed these priorities as not important. 
1.4 The report also details the Housing Capital Investment Plan for the five-year
period from 2023/24 to 2027/28 which will deliver a total investment of
£270.840m over the 5-year period in the councils housing stock. It is anticipated
that this level of investment will attract £26.595m of government grant for new
builds etc and this results in a net capital programme amounting to £244.245m 
1.5 In setting the 2023/24 HRA budget, members will wish to consider the medium
and longer-term financial context for the HRA considering the ongoing risks and
challenges facing the HRA as outlined in this report. 
___________________________________________________________________

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2. Recommendations 
2.1 It is recommended that the Council: 
(i) considers the contents of this report and approves an average weekly rent
increase of £4.94, which is below the commitment made by COSLA to
keep increases below £5 on average, this equates to 6% for house rents.
A 6% increase is also proposed for lock ups; 
(ii) approve the development of a tenant’s support fund and to increase our
housing advice provision to support tenants in financial hardship;  
(iii) notes the findings of the recent Tenant Consultation exercise; 
(iv) approves the Housing Revenue Account Budget for financial year 2023/24
as detailed in Appendix 2; 
(v) approves the Housing Capital Investment Plan 2023/24 to 2027/28 as
detailed in Appendix 3 of the report; and 
(vi) notes the continuing requirement to achieve best value in the
commissioning of works by having an optimum workflow over the 5 years
of the investment plan and authorises the Director of Communities and
Housing to liaise with the Director of Finance and Resources to re-profile
the capital programme and available resources, as necessary, in line with
the appropriate limits established under the Council’s capital prudential
framework arrangements.
___________________________________________________________________ 
3. Background and Medium-Term Financial Context 
3.1. The HRA operates a rolling 30-year Business Plan model which is the standard
operating practice amongst local authorities and Registered Social Landlords.
The 30-year basis of the model reflects the need for a long term planned
approach to the replacement of major items such as rewiring, central heating
etc aligned to the lifecycle of the element. The model ensures that planned
rental income from the 11,769 average number of lettable properties in 2023/24
is sufficient over the term of the plan to cover debt and servicing capital
expenditure including significant investment and regeneration initiatives
together with funding the annual costs of maintaining the housing stock and all
HRA annual operating costs including staffing. 
3.2. The Business Plan model is reviewed to take account of the adjusted base
budget position from the previous year and to update any key assumptions,
economic factors and known or emerging risks. This review process allows
consideration to be given to the setting of rent levels for the forthcoming and
future financial years through effective scenario planning.

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3.3. The 30-year Business Plan model currently assumes 9.9% CPI (Consumer
Price Index model) for the 2023/24 financial year, this reflected the letter to the
Chancellor from the Bank of England in September noting that CPI was at 9.9%.
The forecast levels of CPI in a years’ time and used at present for planning
purposes is 3.4%. The assumption beyond this period is that CPI returns to the
2% Bank of England target and remains at 2% in the long-term. 
3.4. The level of inflation varies across our cost drivers and different levels of
inflation has been applied to our main cost drivers for 2023/24 and 2024/25 to
reflect the expected impact more accurately on Renfrewshire’s cost base. In the
longer-term cost increases have reverted to the CPI forecasts noted in 3.3. 
3.5. Tenants and social landlords are facing some of the most challenging economic
times in recent memory. The Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine
have all had a significant impact on national and global economies. Our housing
system is interconnected with, and much of what we do is contingent upon,
these wider economic systems. This has created a cost-of-living crisis that is
leading to significant hardships for many social housing tenants, including some
of the most vulnerable people in our society. 
3.6. On 20 December 2022, the Scottish Government indicated its intention to end
the rent cap in the social rented sector from the end of March 2023. This position
follows the “statement of intent” issued by COSLA, confirming that local
authorities are committed to keeping rent increases to an average of no more
than £5 per week (exclusive of service charges) and that Scottish Federation of
Housing Associations members are consulting on increases which would
average at 6.1%. 
3.7. In 2022/23 (current year) the HRA continues to experience impacts relating to
our recovery from the pandemic. The backlog of repairs to void properties has
a negative impact on rental income and council tax liability through increased
void periods. This reflects the operational capacity of Building Services and
other contractors to expand to deliver a backlog of repairs, maintenance void
works and adaptations from prior years in conjunction with delivering the full
programme of maintenance and repair works for the current year. A skills and
material shortage in construction trades continues and has affected
construction output levels in both the public and private sector. 
3.8. Members will recall that following a strategic review of the HRA it was
determined that there was capacity in the HRA to fund an additional £100m
investment and regeneration programme over the next decade. Council
approved the proposals to take forward this first phase of investment focussing
on eight areas and around 1,100 council properties. Members will also recall
that the plan also includes over £30m of investment required in our high-rise
accommodation. The cost of repayment on our borrowing to deliver this
ambition has increased because of the cost-of-living crisis and current
economic climate with rising interest rates. To ensure sufficient funding in the
long term an assumption of 1% above CPI is assumed to our rents across the
30-year plan.

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3.9. Renfrewshire has close to 75% of tenants in receipt of some form of support for
their housing costs. A rent increase would result in some tenants receiving more
Housing Benefit and some existing non-claimants becoming entitled to Housing
Benefit. However, unless their circumstances change, most tenants will be
liable for the same contribution towards their rent, with Housing Benefit making
up the difference. A fund is proposed to provide additional support to tenants in
financial hardship and is included within the proposed 2023/24 budget,
application conditions and qualifying criteria will be developed and brought to a
future meeting of the Communities and Housing policy board. 
4. HRA Budget Planning Assumptions for 2023/24 
4.1. The rental income generated by the HRA must support service delivery, the
costs of appropriately maintaining the housing stock and the loan debt related
costs to service the capital investment required in HRA assets. 
4.2. The proposed budget adjustments for 2023/24 are shown across the high level
HRA categories in summary form on Appendix 1 and analysed into the revenue
monitoring format in Appendix 2. To supplement the information contained in
these appendices additional contextual commentary is provided below and this
can be read in conjunction with Appendices 1 and 2. 
4.3 Revenue Expenditure 
4.3.1  Supervision and management includes the operational inflation and additional
costs covering areas such as pay increases for staff, energy costs and
insurance costs which, in 2023/24 are higher than the expectations forecast for
the 2022/23 rent increase level. As well as these continuing pressures,
additional service provision for tenants’ advice services has been included,
£0.100m, to allow for exclusive support to tenants in hardship. The removal of
temporary posts from last year forms another part of the net movement.
Additional budget is also required for council tax reflecting the increased void
pressures. The overall combined impact of these pressures and additional
investment is an increased net budget requirement of £1.259m for 2023/24. 
4.3.2 Housing repairs and maintenance is an area of budget that has been under
considerable pressure due to both cost increases and post pandemic recovery
demands. The budget has increased by £3.027m to take account of the very
real and significant challenges around increasing costs. This includes
pressures such as rising material, fuel, and labour prices to repair, maintain,
and improve our tenants’ homes. 
4.3.3 The new grounds and estates maintenance standards, introduced in recent
years on a phased basis is now fully implemented, an additional £0.239m has
been added to deliver these improvements. A further £0.257m is available for
additional services, including an allocation for increased void cuts to ensure
these gardens are maintained to the same standard as our assistance scheme.
Therefore, the overall combined impact of this is an increased grounds and
estates maintenance budget requirement of £0.506m.

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4.3.4 The void rent loss movement of £0.772m reflects an increase to the expected
void rent loss projections based on the current operational pressures within the
sector. It also includes an adjustment to include management voids previously
accounted for under an adjustment to the rental income budget. In terms of void
rent loss, this reflects a targeted performance improvement internally but is an
increase above the existing budget levels. 
4.3.5 The bad debt provision increases of £0.786m reflects the uncertain economic
position our tenants are facing and the associated risk in relation to our bad
debt levels increasing due to the cost-of-living crisis as well as an allocation for
inflationary increases on our collection costs. This also includes additional
funding to provide support to tenants in financial hardship. 
4.3.6 The proposed Support Fund, will supplement the current Rent Collection
process and is a temporary measure to alleviate existing and emerging financial
stress, prevent and reduce escalating rent arrears and contribute to sustaining
Council tenancies in Renfrewshire. The Fund is intended to support tenants
experiencing financial difficulty, through no fault of their own, where it has been
identified that financial challenges exist due to a change of circumstances
including, but not limited to: 
 Increase in household costs / cost of Living (eg. energy, food, fuel, rent);
 Reduction in income (eg. loss of employment, reduced hours, loss of a
household member);
 Changes to Welfare benefit, Housing Benefit and/or Universal Credit. 
The Fund will be implemented through an application/assessment process that
will detail the tenant’s income and expenditure and the circumstances that have
led to financial support being requested. The officer’s assessment and
engagement with the tenant will include a prerequisite that income is maximised
and that the tenant has exhausted all other financial assistance available for
example, Discretionary Housing Payment and the Scottish Welfare Fund.
Application conditions and qualifying criteria will continue to be developed and
brought to a future meeting of the Communities and Housing policy board. 
4.3.7 The net financing costs Loan charges budget has reduced by (£5.617m), an
element of this has been separated out under the Contribution to Capital
Programme line £3.924m. The net £1.693m is used as a mitigation for the
overall rent increase required in 2023/24. This is through a reduction in loan
charges, increased interest income and contributions to the Capital
Programme. While this will mitigate the rent increase in 2023/24 it will increase
our borrowing requirements, which will consequentially increase interest
payments in the long term. This is therefore a short-term solution to mitigate the
rent increase for 2023/24 and as previously stated these short-term measures
will require above CPI rent increases in future years to restate the budget to
meet future demands.

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4.4 Revenue Income 
4.4.1 The net increase in Rental income (£3.300m), reflects the 6.0% increase on
both house and lock up rents. The stock movement assumptions are based on
our regeneration, demolition and investment plans and reflected in the income
assumptions. An accounting adjustment to transfer management void loss
directly to void rent loss is also included. 
4.4.2 In relation to lock up rents, which had last been increased in 2020/21, the
average charge per lock up is currently £21.98 per month and the 6.0%
increase represents an average of £1.32 per month increase. 
4.4.3 Other income increases by (£0.081m), reflecting minor inflationary adjustments
for recovery of staffing related costs managed within the revenue expenditure
budget but recovered by income. No other income increases are assumed at
present for increased recoveries from tenants or owners via increased service
charges, the recharge models will in future require review to ensure the fair
recovery of increasing costs. 
4.4.4 To mitigate the impact on rent increases in 2023/24 it is proposed to use
(£1.276m) of current reserves as a one-off measure. This will reduce the level
of contingency held to £5.221m within the HRA to meet future and unforeseen
cost pressures, including our ICT system replacement, it is deemed that the
revised level of reserves remains prudent. 
___________________________________________________________________  
5. Tenant Consultation for 2023/24 Rent Increase 
5.1  Renfrewshire Council has a statutory duty to consult tenants before increasing
rents. To help inform the decision on rent proposals for 2023/24, consultation
was undertaken in January 2023 and involved a telephone survey of Council
tenants. 
5.2  The annual rent consultation this year was focused on tenants’ views around
investment priorities. There was no question on rent increase options, as at the
time of issue, there was uncertainty about the 2022/23 cap on rent increases
potentially continuing beyond 31 March 2023. 
5.3 The consultation process asked five key questions regarding the priorities our
tenants have identified previously and as to whether they felt they were still very
important, important, or not important. A total of 600 of our tenants have been
consulted and the response is summarised in the table below.

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Priority 
Very
Important Important
Not
Important
Improve the energy efficiency of Council
housing. This will help, in the long term to
reduce energy bills and increase the
lifespan of houses
87.2% 11.7% 1.2%
Higher levels of investment in existing stock.
Includes retrofitting to make highly energy
efficient and improving the quality of internal
/ external common areas, as well as
removing poor quality stock and building
replacement housing.
71.3% 27.3% 1.3%
Improving the letting standard for empty
houses. Maintaining this would enable us to
provide more housing for tenants quickly
and bring in more rent
71.0% 26.2% 2.8%
More new build Council housing. Provide
modern new homes for residents.
58.5% 36.0% 5.5%
Environmental works and open spaces,
(e.g., bin stores, paths, communal areas,
open space maintenance). This will help the
appearance of neighbourhoods.
53.5% 38.5% 8.0%
Overall Responses 68.3% 27.9% 3.8% 
5.4 Improving the energy efficiency of Council housing was most likely to be “very
important” to tenants (87%). This was followed by higher levels of investment
in existing housing and improving the letting standard for empty houses which
both had 71% of tenants stating this was very important. Lower importance for
tenants was environmental works and open spaces with only 54% of tenants
stating this was very important.   
5.5 The consultation results show that only 3.8% of responses have deemed these
priorities as not important. The proposed rent increase of 6.0% will allow us to
continue with our high level of planned investment across the 30-year plan with
a major focus of this being over the next 5 years in delivering improvements to
energy efficiency and delivery of the housing regeneration programme. 
6.   Housing Capital Investment Plan – 2023/24 to 2027/28 
6.1 Overview 
6.1.1 The proposed Housing Capital Investment Plan for the 5-year period from
2023/24 to 2027/28 is attached at Appendix 3. The gross value over the 5-year
period in the councils housing stock is £270.840m. It is anticipated that this level
of investment will attract £26.595m of government grant for new builds etc and
this results in a net capital programme to be funded amounting to £244.245m
The programme includes allowances for new build homes, related Scottish
Government grants, regeneration and renewal, and the planned investment
programmes required to ensure council house stock is maintained at the
appropriate standards.

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6.1.2 The planned net capital investment for each year is as follows: 
Financial Year Gross 
£m
Income 
£m
Net 
£m
2023/24 29.678 (1.786) 27.892
2024/25 48.624 (8.024) 40.600
2025/26 69.027 (4.575) 64.452
2026/27 71.653 (8.420) 63.233
2027/28 51.858 (3.790) 48.068
5 Year Total 270.840 (26.595) 244.245 
The plan will be reviewed on an annual basis incorporating an ongoing
assessment of risk. 
6.1.3 Authority is granted to the Director of Communities and Housing in consultation
with the Director of Finance and Resources, to flexibly manage the capital
investment programme as necessary to ensure optimum use of resources
within the corporate limits of prudential borrowing. It is proposed that this facility
remains in place over the life of the new five-year plan detailed in Appendix 3. 
6.1.4 The table below sets out the proposed composition of the plan for 2023/24 and
how it will be funded. 
Financial Year 2023/24 Expenditure
£m
Income 
£m
Net 
£m
Planned Investment
Programmes  17.170 0.000 17.170
Regeneration and New Build,
etc.  12.508 0.000 12.508
Government New Build Grant  0.000 (1.786) (1.786)
Other Income 0.000 (0.530) (0.530)
CFCR 0.000 (3.924) (3.924)
Prudential Borrowing 0.000 (23.438) (23.438)
Total 29.678 (29.678) 0.000 
6.2 Planned Investment Programmes 
6.2.1 Since achieving compliance with the Scottish Housing Quality Standard
(SHQS) in April 2015, there has been an ongoing requirement to ensure our
housing stock continues to be maintained at least at this standard. Last year,
for the first time, compliance with 5 yearly Electrical Installation Condition
Reports (EICR) and the new smoke and heat detector standard were included
within the assessment of SHQS compliance, which led to a reduction in our
SHQS compliance. The council’s programme of EICR checks and smoke
detector upgrades has been significantly affected by the impact of covid on the
construction industry and was not complete by March 2022 as planned,
however, both programmes are still ongoing and will give a significant increase
in SHQS compliance this year.

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6.2.2 In addition to SHQS, there is an over-arching emphasis on improving the
housing stock to the latest energy efficiency standards to bring the stock up to
the standards as set out in the Energy Efficiency Standards for Social Housing
post 2020 (EESSH2). These energy efficiency investments will continue to act
as a driver for reducing fuel poverty and ensure that our homes are warmer and
greener to contribute to a lower carbon economy across Renfrewshire. 
6.2.3 The capital programme for 2023/24 to 2027/28 as per the attached Appendix 3
will deliver a total of £136.240m in planned investment programmes in existing
housing stock, £33.918m in New Supply of housing stock outwith the
regeneration areas and a further £100.682m included as part of the
Regeneration and Renewal Plan including New Supply within regeneration
areas. The capital programme for the same period will attract £25.595m of
income from government grants. 
6.2.4 The Council is required to ensure that the HRA has capacity to deliver on
regulatory requirements and standards including ensuring that properties meet
requirements such as SHQS and EESSH. At March 2022, 78.4% of Council
housing stock was compliant with the EESSH1 target (after applying allowable
exemptions). 
6.2.5 The Scottish Government introduced a higher EESSH2 standard to be met by
2032 however, this has been suspended pending review in 2023 to ensure it
aligns with new next zero carbon requirements. The outcome of this review
process will determine the council’s strategy to meet any new standard which
may emerge from the review.  
6.2.6 The capital investment programme has an allowance of £29.260m for the
longer-term investment requirements in all high-rise properties, for works over
the next five years including cladding, roofing, window and door replacements,
foyer improvements and lift refurbishments. 
6.2.7 There will continue to be a programme of heating renewals in 2023/24 and also
a programme of kitchen, bathroom and rewiring combinations with works
recommencing in tenanted properties that will supplement those works
currently being carried out in properties which are void. 
6.2.8 The main categories of planned investment programmes are: 
 External improvements which includes renewal of roofs, rainwater goods
and external fabric;
 Internal improvements which includes replacing or upgrading kitchens,
bathrooms, electrical wiring, and heating systems;
 Multi storey flat and sheltered housing improvements;
 Other investment including disabled adaptations, asbestos removal,
rotworks and the delivery of the final stages of the investment relating to
smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors.

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6.2.9 The main elements of the planned investment programme for next year will
include the following: 
2023/24 Planned Improvements Number of Properties
External fabric upgrading 700
Kitchen, bathroom, and rewiring replacement 220
Heating renewals 300 
6.3 New Build and Regeneration 
6.3.1 Phase 1 of the Housing Led Regeneration and Renewal Plan covering eight
communities across Renfrewshire was approved by the Communities, Housing
and Planning Policy Board on 18 January 2022. The Capital Investment Plan
outlines the anticipated timetable for this significant regeneration programme
for the next five years. 
6.3.2  In addition to the Regeneration and Renewal Plan, the Capital Investment Plan
continues to include provision for investment in building new Council Housing.
Three newbuild projects are now complete – at Johnstone Castle, Bishopton
and Auchengreoch Road – and work to provide 101 new homes is now on site
at Tannahill, Ferguslie Park, with some already handed over. 
6.3.3 As part of the Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme, feasibility
studies are currently being carried out at the Howwood Road Area and at
Ferguslie/Broomlands ahead of proposed development works. These sites
should deliver up to 70 and 18 units, respectively. 
6.3.4 Over and above the Housing-Led Regeneration and Renewal Programme, a
feasibility study is currently being conducted at Gallowhill and another is being
procured for Foxbar Rivers. These sites should deliver up to 60 units each. 
6.3.5 The Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2022-27 approved by the Communities,
Housing and Planning Policy Board on 26 October 2021, includes provision for
Scottish Government grant funding for Council newbuild projects. 
6.3.6 The revised new build grant benchmark rate for local authorities is a 3-person
equivalent benchmark of £71,500 per unit. The new build specification is being
updated to include the quality measures required to maximise grant claim.
(Silver level as a minimum, balconies to flatted developments, space for home
working / study, digital enablement, fire suppression and zero emission
heating). The additional measures will incur higher capital costs but will also
attract additional grant funding over and above the £71,500 benchmark. 
___________________________________________________________________ 
Implications of the Report 
1. Financial – The report and appendices detail the proposed HRA budget and
average weekly rent increase for 2023/2024 and the Housing Capital
Investment Plan for 2023/24 to 2027/28.

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2. HR & Organisational Development – As a result of the budget adjustments
proposed in this report there will be additional staffing posts created which will
be recruited to in accordance with the councils approved recruitment
policy/processes. 
3. Community/Council Planning   
 Our Renfrewshire is well – enabling communities to have their voices heard
and influence the places and services that affect them by consulting
tenants on the proposed changes to rents for 2023/24.
 Building strong, safe and resilient communities - continuing housing
regeneration programmes across Renfrewshire to create sustainable
communities.
 Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all - improving and
maintaining housing conditions for the benefit of tenants and providing
assistance to tenants to mitigate the impacts of any Welfare Reform
changes.
 Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy – accessing
supplementary external funding where available to support the
achievement of the minimum energy rating under the Energy Efficiency
Standard for Social Housing.
 Working together to improve outcomes – consulting tenants on the
proposed changes to rents for 2023/24 and involving tenant
representatives in the specification and monitoring of the investment
programme. 
4. Legal – The council is required to set an HRA budget for 2023/24 and agree
any rent changes for notification to tenants. The council must give tenants at
least 28 days notification in advance of any changes. 
5. Property/Assets – The report proposes the Housing Capital Investment Plan
for 2023/24 to 2027/28. 
6. Information Technology – None. 
7. Equality & Human Rights - The recommendations contained within this report
have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights.
No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of
individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the
recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation,
the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be
reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published
on the Council’s website. 
8. Health & Safety – None 
9. Procurement – The proposed Capital Investment Plan for 2023/24 to 2027/28
will include procurement of contracts.

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10. Risk – The HRA Business Plan remains subject to a number of risks and
economic factors such as interest rates and inflation, while these risks are
reviewed as part of the HRA business planning process a high level of
uncertainty remains relating to the external economic situation. 
11. Privacy Impact – None. 
12. Cosla Policy Position – Not applicable. 
13. Climate Risk - None
___________________________________________________________________ 
List of Background Papers 
Housing Revenue Account Budget & Rent Levels 2022/23 and Housing Capital
Investment Plan 2022/23 to 2026/27, 3rd March 2022. 
___________________________________________________________________
Author:  Mary Crearie, Director of Communities and Housing

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Housing Revenue Budget ‐ 2023‐24 ‐ 2027‐28 Appendix 1
2022/2023 2023/2024 Movement
Budget Budget
£m £m £m
Expenditure
Supervision and Management 16.482 17.741 1.259
Housing Repairs and Maintenance 12.994 16.021 3.027
Grounds & Estates Maintenance 1.844 2.350 0.506
Void Rents 1.448 2.220 0.772
Bad Debt Provision 1.315 2.101 0.786
Financing Costs Loan Charges 20.642 15.025 ‐5.617
Contribution to Capital Programme 0.000 3.924 3.924
Reserves to C/F 0.000 0.000 0.000
Total Expenditure 54.725 59.382 4.657
Income
Rental Income ‐51.655 ‐54.955 ‐3.300
Other Income ‐3.070 ‐3.151 ‐0.081
Use of B/F Reserves 0.000 ‐1.276 ‐1.276
Total Income ‐54.725 ‐59.382 ‐4.657
Net 0.000 0.000 0.000

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Appendix 2
Subjective Summary
Original Annual 
Budget 
2022/23
Original Annual 
Budget 
2023/24
Budget 
Adjustments 
Current Year
Explanation of Movement
Employees 10,568,000 11,008,000 440,000 This reflects pay award across 2022/23 and 2023/24 as well as the removal of temporary posts from 22/23.
Premises Related 16,470,996 20,732,241 4,261,245 This includes an additional £3.105m for repairs & Maintenance, £0.506m of additional Estate Management 
budget, £0.216m for council tax, £0.380m of fuel inflation and the balance of £0.054m on other inflation 
pressures including insurance.
Transport Related 102,500 102,500 0
Supplies and Services 737,935 792,330 54,395 This reflects inflation pressures mainly on ICT and £0.009m for increased debt collection costs.
Third Party Payments 27,196 48,998 21,802 This reflects inflation pressures.
Transfer Payments 3,782,077 5,431,077 1,649,000 The bad debt budget is increased by £0.777m net from last year to reflect the cost‐of‐living crisis with an 
allocation from this budget to be utilised for the tenant support fund. A further £0.100m of this is allocated for 
additional advice services. The remainder is an increase in the void budget reflecting increased income, service 
pressures and an adjustment to management voids previously accounted for under income.
Support Services 2,489,885 2,492,443 2,558 This reflects inflation pressures partially offset by a reduced management recharge.
Depreciation and 
Impairment Losses
20,774,000 19,089,000 (1,685,000) The net reduction in financing budget reflects the realignment of this budget to mitigate rent increases in 
2023/24.
GROSS EXPENDITURE 54,952,589 59,696,589 4,744,000
Income (54,952,589) (59,696,589) (4,744,000) £1.276m reflects a drawdown from reserves to be utilised to mitigate the rent increase in 2023/24  A small 
amount reflects the income recovery for Repairs and Maintenance £0.079m increase. An additional £0.008m is 
assumed from Interest income. The balance of this is the net impact of the house and lock up rent increases 
and an adjustment of management voids to be accounted for under transfer payments.
NET EXPENDITURE 0 0 0
POLICY BOARD :  COMMUNITIES AND HOUSING ‐ Housing Revenue Account  2023/24 Budget

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Housing Capital Investment Plan ‐ 2023‐24 ‐ 2027‐28 Appendix 3
2023‐24 2024‐25 2025‐26 2026‐27 2027‐28 5 Year Totals
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Internal Investment 3,030 6,320 8,820 5,310 5,660 29,140
External Improvements 9,100 10,100 12,100 11,100 13,225 55,625
Multi Storey Flats Improvements 1,260 2,500 6,500 8,500 10,500 29,260
Sheltered Housing Improvements 100 600 725 500 500 2,425
Professional Fees 1,865 1,900 1,925 1,950 1,975 9,615
Others e.g. Adapts, Rotworks & Asbestos 1,815 2,215 2,215 2,115 1,815 10,175
Regeneration and Renewal Investment Programme 10,151 16,499 23,884 34,965 15,183 100,682
New Supply Programme Excluding Regeneration Projects 2,357 8,490 12,858 7,213 3,000 33,918
Capital Expenditure Total 29,678 48,624 69,027 71,653 51,858 270,840
Government Funding ‐1,786 ‐8,024 ‐4,575 ‐8,420 ‐3,790 ‐26,595
Net Housing Investment Expenditure 27,892 40,600 64,452 63,233 48,068 244,245
Expenditure Category