URL: https://moderngov.rotherham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1984

Decision Maker: Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Assistant Director of Housing to approve the carry forward of the underspend from the 2024/25 Ward Housing Budget, to 2025/26.

Content: The Assistant Director of Housing to approve the carry forward of the underspend from the 2024/25 Ward Housing Budget, to 2025/26.   ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL   RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION   Date of Decision: 15 July 2025   Title: Ward Housing Budget – 2024/25 carry forward.   Decision Maker: (Including Job Title) John Holman, Interim Assistant Director of Housing     Details of Specific Delegation   or   Delegation contained in the relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.   On the 23rd of December 2019, Cabinet agreed the implementation of 25 Ward Housing Hubs with an allocated base budget of £4000 per ward and the remainder of the annual budget provision then being allocated based upon the percentage of Council homes within each ward.   It was also agreed that the Assistant Director of Housing in consultation with the Head of Finance (Adults, Public Health and Housing), is authorised to increase the Ward Housing budget (on a ward by ward basis) by the value of the Ward Housing Budget underspend in the preceding year within the 4 year cycle.   25 Ward Housing Hubs were implemented on 1st April 2020 with a base budget of £4000 per ward and a percentage uplift based upon the number of properties within the ward.   A carry forward facility to enable the budget to be increased each financial year with the value of the underspend on a ward-by-ward basis within a four-yearly cycle was also adopted in line with the local elections cycle.   The current four-year Ward Housing Budget cycle commenced in 2024/25 and will end in 2027/28.   Within this current cycle, there will be a presumed carry forward of any underspend from 2024/25 to 2025/26, from 2025/26 to 2026/27 and from 2026/27 to 2027/28.   The current four-year cycle will end within financial year 2027/28, during which all remaining ward housing budgets allocations should be fully spent. A new four-year cycle is presumed to commence in 2028/29.   The annual budget allocation for 2025/26 is £216,000. The carry forward from 2024/25 of £138,435 would give a total budget for 2025/26 of £354,435.   Each Ward brings forward project proposals for funding approval from the budget each year. Some Wards carry forward funding from one year to the next in order to accumulate sufficient budget to undertake larger projects. Ward Members and relevant Council staff are aware of the carry forward arrangements and that all funding must be fully spent by the end of Year 4.   Approval is required from the Assistant Director of Housing to carry forward the Ward Housing Budget underspend from 2024/25 to 2025/26.   Decision: Approval is required from the Assistant Director of Housing to carry forward the Ward Housing Budget underspend from 2024/25 to 2025/26.   Reasons for the Decision: Approval is granted to carry forward the 2024/25 Ward Housing Budget underspend into the 2025/26 budget.   Details of alternative options considered and rejected: No other options were considered given the principle established by Cabinet that a carry forward facility should be put in place. The agreed approach is that the Assistant Director of Housing approves the carry forward of the Ward Housing budget underspend of £138,435 from 2024/25 to 2025/26.   Conflicts of interest declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision: None. Dispensations Granted: (If any) None   Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision Maker if they sit as a Cabinet appointed representative to an outside body which relates to the decision: None Dispensations Granted: (If any) None Reports or parts of reports considered Officer Decision Report – “Ward Housing Budget 2024/25 carry forward”         I certify that this is a true record of the executive decision to:   Approve the carry forward of the 2024/25 Ward Housing Budget underspend of £138,435 from 2024/25 to 2025/26.     I confirm that in making this decision, due regard was given to the seven principles of public life.   Signed by the Decision Maker:   Dated:          15th July 2025   Name:          John Holman                              Job Title:     Interim Assistant Director of Housing  

Date of Decision: July 15, 2025