1. That an average rent increase of 7% on all tenancies, be approved.

2. That an average rent increase of 7% on shared ownership properties, be approved.

3. That an increase of 10.1% for garage rents to £13.98 per week for tenants and £16.77 for non-tenants (being £13.98 plus VAT), a rise consistent with the standard approach taken across the council’s fees and charges, be approved.  All variants on a standard garage will receive a proportionate increase.

4. That South Essex Homes core management fee be agreed at £7,192,000 for 2023/24.

5. That South Essex Homes proposals for average increases of 44.29% in service charges to reflect the estimated costs incurred for 2023/24, be approved.

6. That South Essex Homes proposals for an average 104% increase in heating charges for sheltered housing tenants and for hostel tenants to reflect the estimated costs incurred for 2023/24, be approved.

7. That the following appropriations be approved:

·       £60,000 to the Repairs Contract Pensions Reserve. 

·       £4,047,000 to the Capital Investment Reserve.

·       £7,384,000 from the Capital Investment Reserve.

8. That, subject to the approval of resolutions 1 to 7 above, the HRA budget for 2023/24, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

9. That the value of the Council’s capital allowance from 2023/24 be declared as £49,297,000 as determined in accordance with regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) Regulations.