Decision details

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Services, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, seeking formal approval for expenditure on various projects commencing in 2010/11 within the approved HRA Capital Programme, covering improvement works to sheltered accommodation and Decent Neighbourhoods.

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 through improving the appearance and facilities on our estates and the wellbeing and satisfaction of our tenants in the areas where they live.

(i)  To approve in accordance with Financial Procedures Rules the spend across the following schemes:

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. Under the revised Financial Procedure Rules Agreed on the 12^th May 2010 this report does not need to go to Cabinet and can be dealt with as a Chief Officer decision after appropriate consultation As this paper was initiated before the 12^th of May it has been decided to allow it to follow the original decision route and allow it to go to Cabinet as any change at this stage could cause a delay.
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, their representatives and leaseholders over the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme and in the formation of the HRA Business Plan there was strong support for these schemes during the option appraisal process.

2.  To adopt the option of not undertaking these works would consign these neighbourhoods and homes to terminal decline contrary to residents wishes and the Council’s stated policy to:

• Deliver a programme of projects to improve the appearance of our estates
• Develop, nurture and sustain a sense of pride and local identify through resident involvement.