Issue - meetings

The report seeks approval of the DFG Policy (Appendix 1) we are required to have in place under our Statutory Order, which consolidates the three policies from the legacy Councils and takes account of current legislation and national guidance.

The policy includes the following major changes:

·       Implementation of discretionary funding to assist applicants who require works costing over £30,000, are unable to meet the assessed contribution following means testing or require assistance which does not meet the mandatory grant criteria and is deemed by the Council to benefit the applicant’s health and wellbeing.

·       Commitment to promote Seascape South Limited as the preferred contractor option for grant works as part of a comprehensive in-house service

Implementation of the new policy is proposed for January 2022 by which time the Grants Team will be fully staffed and the new BCP procedures will be in place.

DFG’s enable BCP residents to receive adaptations which assist them to remain independent in their own homes, reduce the need for care services and in some cases prevent moves into residential care. Adaptations reduce accidents and assist in hospital discharges back home. The new policy will increase the number of applicants who will be able to proceed with grant applications and facilitate higher cost adaptations than previously allowed under legacy arrangements.

RESOLVED that the proposed policy be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Homes

Reasons

To meet our statutory obligation under the The Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996; as amended by the Regulatory Reform (Housing

Assistance)(England & Wales) Order 2002 (RRO) to have a published document in place setting out Council policy on the aims and application of the local grant scheme.

To meet our obligations under the Statutory order and align legacy Council’s policy.

To provide clear and transparent policy for applicants and staff.

To increase our offer to applicants with discretionary funding to maximise use of the grant in line with national good practice and the aims of the Better Care Fund.

The Portfolio Holder for Homes presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was requested to approve the DFG Policy set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

In relation to this Cabinet was advised that the council is required to have a policy in place under the Statutory Order, which consolidates the three policies from the legacy Councils and takes account of current legislation and national guidance.

Further to this Cabinet was informed that the policy includes the following major changes:

·       Implementation of discretionary funding to assist applicants who require works costing over £30,000, are unable to meet the assessed contribution following means testing or require assistance which does not meet the mandatory grant criteria and is deemed by the Council to benefit the applicant’s health and wellbeing.

·       Commitment to promote Seascape South Limited as the preferred contractor option for grant works as part of a comprehensive in-house service

Cabinet was advised that the implementation of the new policy is proposed for January 2022 by which time the Grants Team will be fully staffed and the new BCP procedures will be in place.

Cabinet was informed that DFG’s enable BCP residents to receive adaptations which assist them to remain independent in their own homes, reduce the need for care services and in some cases prevent moves into residential care, and that adaptations reduce accidents and assist in hospital discharges back home. Further to this it was felt that the new policy will increase the number of applicants who will be able to proceed with grant applications and facilitate higher cost adaptations than previously allowed under legacy arrangements.

The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Committee had resolved to make the following recommendation to Cabinet in respect of this item.

This Committee recommends that the Cabinet and/or Leader be asked to write to the local MPs to lobby the relevant government minister to review the £30,000 discretionary funding limit.

In relation to this the Portfolio Holder advised that the council had spoken to local MPs but that he would write to them formally to request that they lobby the relevant government minister to seek a review of the £30,000 limit.

RESOLVED that the proposed policy be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Homes