Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2025 to 2055
Local policy context
3.1 The HRA Business Plan is set within a wider strategic context of the overall ambitions of the council and those of the Housing Service.
3.2 Strategic approach
3.2.1 The council's strategic approach, Making Gateshead a Place Where Everyone Thrives provides a framework to demonstrate how the council will work and make decisions.
3.2.2 Thrive is underpinned by five key pledges:
- putting people and families at the heart of everything we do
- tackling inequality
- supporting our communities to support themselves and each other
- investing in our economy to provide sustainable opportunities for employment, innovation and growth
- work together and for a better future for Gateshead Council
3.2.3 The HRA Business Plan supports the delivery of these pledges.
3.3 Health and Wellbeing Strategy
3.3.1 The Health and Wellbeing Strategy identifies clear outcomes to support the delivery of "Gateshead Thrive". Housing is identified as one of the wider determinants of health and can play a vital role in the long-term health and wellbeing of an individual.
3.4 Housing Strategy
3.4.1 The Housing Strategy identifies clear housing objectives and priorities, puts forward a vision for housing in Gateshead, and sets a framework for how the council will deliver services and interventions, and work in partnership with others, in a way that will help achieve those objectives. It includes three overarching strategic objectives:
- sustainable housing and economic growth
- sustainable neighbourhoods
- improved health and wellbeing
Read the HRA Asset Management privacy notice
3.5 HRA Asset Management Strategy
3.5.1 The HRA Asset Management Strategy sets out the council's approach to managing the housing related assets held in the Housing Revenue Account. It covers a range of activities that will ensure that the housing stock meets the needs of residents and the standards required, both now and in the future. Its key aims are:
- delivering decent homes
- maximising energy efficiency
- ensuring compliance
- regeneration of estates and assets
- investment in it infrastructure
- developing new homes
3.6 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
3.6.1 The council's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy aims to eradicate rough sleeping in Gateshead, make homelessness a rare and one-off occurrence, and achieve positive outcomes for anyone who is homeless. The HRA will help to support delivery of this strategy through the provision of much needed new affordable homes, and in contributing to the delivery services to support and realise sustainable tenancy solutions for those who may be at risk of homelessness.
3.7 Housing Development Programme
3.7.1 The Housing Development Programme confirms priority actions to be undertaken over the next five years to maximise housing supply on existing and new sites. This strategy also aligns with the council's medium-term position and investment plan.
3.8 Tenancy Management Policy and Allocations Policy
3.8.1 The Tenancy Management Policy, together with the Allocations Policy will help to deliver on the strategic aims of the Housing Strategy. It will ensure statutory and regulatory compliance by ensuring our properties are let in a fair, transparent and efficient way, make best use of our stock, reduce the amount of time properties are empty, address under occupation and overcrowding and to meet our strategic housing needs, including homelessness.
3.9 Resident Influence Strategy
3.9.1 The Resident Influence Strategy has been developed within the context of a national regulatory framework. The Regulator of Social Housing sets four Consumer Standards that apply to all registered social landlords including local authorities. The Transparency Influence and Accountability standard is one of the four Consumer Standards. It sets out clearly the requirement that registered providers are open with tenants and treat them with fairness and respect so that they can access services, raise complaints, influence decision-making and hold their landlord to account.
3.10 Rent and Service Charge Policy
3.10.1 The Rent and Service Charge Policy brings together in one place the process followed in setting the rent and service charges and compliance with the regulatory requirements. Whilst the annual Cabinet report to agree the rent and service charges sets out the process in summary, the policy provides more detailed information and clarification.
3.11 Home maintenance and safety
3.11.1 As a landlord, Gateshead Council is responsible for the maintenance and repairs to homes, communal blocks, and other properties we own and manage. This includes domestic and non-domestic properties to ensure they remain safe for tenants and building users. There are several policies in place that set out the services customers can expect from the council, including the responsibilities of both the council and its customers: