Issue - meetings

To consider recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

·         HRA Business Plan and Asset Management Strategy

(report of the Cabinet enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 January 2026 which sought approval for the Cabinet’s recommendations.

The Leader introduced the report which had been presented and discussed fully at Cabinet, noting the following points:

• These documents had been produced in partnership with Savills, and shaped by extensive consultation with tenants, Members, and the Senior Leadership Team.
• The Business Plan set out a robust, evidence-led approach to maintaining and enhancing our council housing stock. It was underpinned by up-to-date stock condition data and responded to significant changes in the social housing landscape.
• The HRA remained sustainable over the full 30-year period.
• The plan was fully fundable, delivered on all our principal objectives, and aligned with Local Government Association benchmarks.
• While the plan included an increase in borrowing to deliver the largest investment programme in South Holland’s HRA history, this investment was affordable and necessary to meet government expectations, ensuring our homes remained safe, decent, and efficient. 
• The Asset Management Strategy translated these ambitions into a clear five-year capital investment programme.
• Both documents would be updated annually as part of budget setting to reflect the latest position and ensure we remained responsive to changing conditions.  
• The item was scrutinised at a joint scrutiny session on 13 January.
• Scrutiny commented on the general uncertainty of planning for a 30-year period and stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring, ensuring that financial and human resources are reviewed annually.
• The item was submitted to Cabinet on January 20th, where the recommendations for Council to adopt the documents and delegations were supported, subject to one minor wording amendment, which had since been implemented.

DECISION:

That Council:

a)    Adopt the HRA Business Plan 2026/2056.

b)    Delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the HRA Business Plan 2026/2056 to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the s151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.

c)    Adopt the HRA Asset Management Strategy 2026-2035

d)    Delegates minor operational and legislative amendments to the HRA Asset Management Strategy 2026-2035 to the Assistant Director for Housing in consultation with the s151 Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing.