The Gravesham Borough Council Cabinet met to discuss the Council Housing Asset Strategy, the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, the Annual Performance Report, and Rosherville Board Membership. The Cabinet approved the recommendations for all items, including moving forward with a public consultation regarding potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026-2027

The Cabinet agreed to proceed with an 8-week public consultation regarding potential changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) from 1 April 2026. They also approved the draft consultation documents, delegating authority to the Director (Corporate Services), in consultation with the Leader of the Executive and Portfolio Holder for Performance & Administration, to finalise them.

The proposed changes to the CTRS aim to provide more support for the lowest-income households, simplify the system, reduce administration costs, and ensure fairness by disregarding certain national compensation payments. Currently, the maximum level of support available for working-age claimants is 80%, meaning even the lowest-income households must pay at least 20% of their council tax bill. The proposed scheme would increase support across the bands, including raising the maximum help for the lowest-income households (Band 1) from 80% to 100%.

The consultation will seek views on:

• Increasing support offered to bands 1, 2, and 3
• Disregarding specific compensation payments, such as Grenfell Tower, Infected Blood Support Scheme, and Horizon/Post Office compensation
• Keeping the scheme unchanged

According to the Report for Cabinet - Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026-27, increasing support to up to 100% would raise the cost of the working-age scheme from £4.9m to £5.9m, with the cost to Gravesham being £104,000. However, it is expected to reduce enforcement costs, prevent arrears from escalating, and ease financial pressures for over 4,000 households.

Council Housing Asset Strategy 2025-2028

The Cabinet approved and will implement the new Housing Asset Strategy 2025-2028. The strategy ensures that the council's housing stock is fit for purpose and financially viable.

According to the Draft Cabinet Report - Council Housing Asset Management Strategy 2025-2028, the strategy acts as the framework within which the council makes strategic decisions on investment, disinvestment, and divestment of its housing stock. It underpins and informs the council's Corporate Plan and complements other council strategies and policies.

The council's key asset management objectives are influenced by the following drivers for change:

• Ageing assets
• Tenant expectations
• Technology
• Climate change
• Financial investment
• Legislative and regulatory change

Councillor Karina O'Malley, Cabinet Member for Housing, stated in the foreword to the strategy:

Gravesham Borough Council is committed to providing quality and sustainable housing that are homes to be proud of for our tenants and leaseholders, and I take great pride in leading this strategic plan for improving our homes for them.

Rosherville Board Membership

The Cabinet approved the revised Board Structure for Rosherville Limited, appointing the Assistant Director (Community Support & Inclusive Growth) to the Rosherville Limited Board. They also delegated authority to the Leader of the Executive, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to finalise the appointment of a Director to Rosherville Property Development Limited. The Corporate Change Manager, in consultation with the Leader of the Executive, will notify the Board of Rosherville Limited at the next respective Board meetings of the appointment to the vacant Director post.

Annual Performance Report 2024-25

The Cabinet received the Annual Performance Report 2024-25 for information purposes. The report provides an overview of the council's performance against the Corporate Plan for the full 2024-25 year.

According to the Cabinet - Annual Performance Report 2024-25, the Corporate Plan establishes the authority's ambition for the borough, complete with a suite of corporate objectives and supporting policy commitments that will shape the council's activities over the four-year administrative period. The plan has three corporate objectives:

• One Borough: a safe, clean, and attractive living environment, enhanced by a sustainable and increasingly energised local economy.
• One Community: an active, engaged, and culturally enriched population, built on the foundations of an affordable and quality local housing offer.
• One Council: a well-run and innovative authority, defined by its skilled and valued workforce, committed to developing its local social impact.