The Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee met on 24 January 2024 to scrutinise the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan Refresh for 2024/25. The committee made several recommendations regarding the HRA Business Plan, including questioning its viability, suggesting a review of council garage infill schemes, and requesting clarification on borrowing from the general fund. For the Bridge Close Regeneration project, the committee recommended establishing a frequency for regular reporting and defining affordable housing products.

HRA Business Plan

The Sub-Committee scrutinised the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, which forms part of the budget papers to be considered by Cabinet. Following a presentation and debate, the committee made several recommendations to be passed to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Key recommendations included:

• Noting the advice from Savills regarding the viability of the scheme, as detailed in section 7.3 of the report.
• Recommending that the council revisit the infill scheme concerning council garages. This was proposed as a measure to reduce anti-social behaviour and provide new homes.
• Advising members to be mindful of potential telecare costs, particularly in relation to the digital switchover.
• Noting the negative Equalities and Health Impact Assessment (EqHIA) findings across all protected characteristics.
• Recommending that the Section 151 Officer¹ explain the rationale for borrowing from the general fund rather than the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) or other external sources, and to comment on the impact this has on the General Fund and its deficit.
• Requesting an update on work undertaken to increase the number of bedrooms in homes, with the aim of enabling residents to remain in their current properties rather than being moved to larger ones.
• Asking for a breakdown of charges relating to heat and water.

Bridge Close Regeneration LLP - In Year Review of 2024/25 Business Plan

The Sub-Committee also reviewed the Bridge Close Regeneration LLP Business Plan Refresh for 2024-25, which also forms part of the budget papers for Cabinet. After presentation and discussion, the committee put forward the following comments and recommendations for the Overview and Scrutiny Board:

• Officers were asked to suggest a frequency for regular reporting on the project to the Places Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee (OSSC).
• A metric should be identified to quantify savings to the General Fund, such as a reduction in pressure on the social care budget. It was recommended that an Asset Management Assessment Tool (AMAT)² assessment be conducted.
• The term affordable was recommended to be broken down to provide clarity on the specific products being offered.