Council housing rent could be cut by one per cent

If approved, the cabinet will recommend the cut to a meeting of the full council to be held in February.

The proposal means that rents could reduce by an average of 85 pence per week for a council home.

If approved, the reduced income will be offset by restructuring debt repayments and by making some efficiency savings, but the council's housing improvement programme will continue.

There will be further changes in housing over the coming year following the government's new social housing policies covering eligibility for social housing and length of tenancies. While the full financial effects of these policies are not yet known, the borough council's cabinet will recommend that the council absorb any additional costs in the 2016/17 financial year to provide certainty to tenants.

Cllr Leigh Hunt, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for sustainable inclusive communities, said: "The proposed reduction in rent will I am sure be welcomed by all of our tenants.

"We continue to provide an excellent housing service for our tenants, who are now benefiting from our investment programme that includes replacement doors and windows, and conversion from electric heating to gas.

"With the first new council houses for many years now complete at Sewell Place, and with new affordable housing due at the mast site, we are taking a number of approaches to providing more affordable housing for the people of Rugby."

Rugby Borough Council's cabinet meets to discuss the recommendation on 11 January. The council will approve the housing budget, including rents, at a meeting to be held on 9 February.