{pluson e}Council house tenants in Barnsley will see an increase in their rent from April following a decision by Cabinet members today (Wednesday 18 January) and the level of the increase is a direct result of the Government’s rent restructuring policy.

The decision was part of recommendations made in the Housing Revenue Account Draft Budget 2012/13 report which explains how the council has to follow the Government’s policy which will determine the rent levels for future years.  The average rent increase for Barnsley Council tenants in 2012/13 will be £5.77.

The report also set out proposals on how some of the housing 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 level of the rent settlement underpins the viability of the 30 Year Self Financing Business Plan which will ensure that frontline services are safeguarded and

Based on this financial business plan the council will continue to be able to deliver the Barnsley Homes Standard programme of works to ensure that the housing stock is maintained at the decency levels. It will also allow for other essential capital works to take place, which will for example include major adaptations for older or disabled people.

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson, Development, Environment and Culture (Strategy, Programmes and Projects), said: "This is an unavoidable consequence of government policy. We would not be doing this if we had any choice, but we are simply unable to maintain rents at the artificially low levels they have been at. We've been able to do this historically to support the market and people who rent, but the new finance arrangements introduced by the coalition government make that impossible now.

The rents for council tenants in Barnsley are still lower than those of Housing Association tenants by an average of £12 per week and if compared to the private rented sector they are £30 less on average.
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