The increase will see the average weekly rent rise by £4.63 to £97.19, and forms part of a three-year strategy agreed last year following input from tenants. 

Councillors also supported an increase in fees and charges of 3% and 5% across various categories, coupled with a significant reduction in heat and light charges for sheltered housing tenants of 24%. This will bring the weekly heat and light charge for a two-bedroom sheltered housing property down from £55.68 to £42.54. 

Now in its second year, the three-year plan was developed by a council member officer working group in discussion with tenants, brought to the full council by the authority’s Communities Committee

Last year, the Communities Committee agreed to propose an increase in rents of 5%, with a recommendation to repeat this level of increase in 2025/26, and 2026/27. 

Deputy leader Cllr Anne Stirling, who is also chair of Communities Committee, moved for support of the proposals. She praised the strong partnership in place with tenants that fed into the development of the three-year rent strategy. 

Cllr Stirling said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who participated in our engagement work to inform the proposals before us here today. And we have a strong partnership in place with our tenants and continue to welcome their contribution, and also the contribution of tenant representatives who attend the Communities Committee on a regular basis. 

Cllr Stirling added: “I would like to commend the work of the housing service and all our partners, most especially the tenants themselves. None of this is possible without that collaboration and that strength in partnership.” 

The motion was seconded by fellow Communities Committee member Cllr Glen Reynolds, who welcomed the significant reduction in heat and light costs for sheltered housing tenants. 

Cllr Reynolds said: “I very much welcome the continuation of the rental and charging strategy that has been developed and agreed. The most significant change is the reduced heat and light charges for the year ahead, which I know will benefit amongst others our sheltered housing tenants. 

“I’m also aware that the sheltered housing tenant forum considered support charges at its most recent meeting. I’d like to pass on my thanks to this forum for the good work they have done.” 

The council went on to unanimously support the proposals. A review of the council’s rent setting policy is to be undertaken this year and brough back to the full council for consideration in due course. 

The proposed Housing Revenue Account budget for 2025/26 will be considered separately by the full council next Thursday, February 27.