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Chronicle Live
National
Herbert Soden

Gateshead Council rents set to rise as top councillors expected to recommend rent increases

Gateshead's council tenants could be hit in the pocket as the authority is set to increase its rents.

Councillors sitting on the authority's cabinet have been asked to recommend to council an increase in rent and a change in service charges.

A report set to be heard by cabinet on Tuesday stated that Government policy enables rents to be increased up to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September plus an additional 1%.

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The document proposed an increase of 4.1% which would bring social housing rents in the borough up by an average of £3.31 per week.

It stated that Government rules mean that local authorities have to prevent debit balances accruing in their Housing Revenue Accounts, therefore, the council's business plan allows for £3m to held in its HRA.

It said: "Council agreed the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30-year Business Plan on 18 November 2021.

"Overall, the HRA Business Plan is fully costed and does not breach the minimum £3 million balance during the life of the plan (30 years).

"However, to incorporate all the cost pressures and anticipated capital investment, including new social housing stock, borrowing will need rise significantly above the current levels."

Gateshead Council's cabinet is set to hear the proposals on Tuesday.

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