Decision details

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Services, seeking formal approval in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, for Phase 1 Various Schemes in the approved HRA Capital Programme commencing in 2010/11.

All the work will directly or indirectly improve the quality of life for council tenants.  The proposed schemes will contribute to the Council’s strategic housing objectives and will help ensure that the Council achieves the Government’s Decent homes Standard by December 2010.

(i) To approve in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules an overall increase in the approval to spend across the following schemes:

(ii) To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, an amendment to the HRA Capital Programme in relation to the Millbrook Parking capital project to rephase expenditure of £225,000 from 2011/12 to 2010/11.

1. Financial Procedure Rules require that all schemes with a total value of more than £100,000 be approved by the appropriate Cabinet Member before they can proceed.  Schemes over £200,000 need to be approved by Cabinet.
2. Including sums in a capital programme does not give authority to spend the money.  This is done by a separate scheme approval process.  Following the capital updates it is necessary in some cases to bring scheme approvals in line with approved budgets.

1. During consultation with tenants groups and leaseholders over the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme and in the formation of the HRA Business Plan during the option appraisal process all parties expressed support for schemes of work at this time.
2. The alternative option of not undertaking this work would leave the properties and surrounding areas in their present condition and would not accord with the views expressed during the consultation process or with the Council’s policies of providing Decent Homes.