A series of reports on the arrangements that are proposed to ensure that the long term management of the council’s housing stock is set on solid foundations will be considered by Barnsley Council’s Cabinet members at their next meeting on Wednesday, 18 January.

One report sets out the details of the new 30 Year Financial Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account. It explains the financial basis for the management and maintenance of council housing in Barnsley, based on the Government’s new self financing system, and shows that over the 30 year period the plan is viable.

Under the new financial arrangements for the Housing Revenue Account the rental income from the council’s housing stock will be used to fund the ongoing management, maintenance and improvement of council dwellings to ensure that they are maintained to the standard set by the Decent Homes programme.

The rent level for the council’s properties will also be considered as part of the Housing Revenue Account Draft Budget 2012/13 report which explains how the council has to follow the Government’s rent restructuring policy which will determine the rent levels for future years. It also sets out proposals on how some of the budget will be allocated to provide support for tenants who may be struggling to manage their household finances in the current difficult economic climate.

The report on the Council Housing Capital Investment Programme 2012-17 sets out proposals for the council’s continued investment in the housing stock over the next five years. The main aim of the programme will be the continuation of the Barnsley Homes Standard to ensure the housing stock is kept to the current levels of decency. The report identifies the level of investment that is required for each year of the programme. It also includes proposals which will support the council’s low carbon and energy efficiency agenda which will help reduce fuel poverty in the borough.

In August 2011 Barnsley Council agreed that it was appropriate to commence with a new Services Agreement for the delivery of housing management services at the same time as the new Self Financing regime for the Housing Revenue Account was implemented. Therefore, a further report sets out the details of the new contract that has been negotiated with Berneslai Homes which will see the Arms Length Management Organisation continue to deliver high quality housing management services on behalf of the Council.

One element of the Services Agreement is the requirement for a medium term Delivery Plan to be established which is then refreshed on an annual basis. Therefore to reflect the new arrangements from April 2012 a further report has also been presented on the new Delivery Plan which has been developed to cover the first four years of the new contractual arrangements.

This plan sets out the framework for driving forward the development of Berneslai Homes as an organisation and for delivering continuous improvements to the services that they provide. This Delivery Plan has been set firmly within the context of the significant implications of the Government’s reform agenda and in particular their planned radical welfare reforms.

More detailed information will be available once Cabinet Members have had the opportunity to consider and make decisions based on the proposals set out in these reports.
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