Issue - meetings

Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations & Repairs

Meeting: 19/09/2019 - Executive (Item 43)

43 Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations & Repairs

To consider the Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptions and Repairs Policy.

Supporting documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations and Repairs Policy, set out in Annex 1 to the report presented to the Executive, be adopted. 

Minutes:

Councillor N. Bramhall, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, introduced a report setting out an update in relation to the Council’s Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations and Repairs Policy.

It was explained that the revised policy, set out in Annex 1 to the report presented, had been updated to reflect current and future circumstances, particularly increases in external funding for housing adaptations. It was highlighted that annual increases in the government’s allocation of capital funds for disabled adaptations had resulted in a substantial underspend of ring-fenced funds. In response to questions, it was explained that these funds could not be used for other purposes and that guidance existed concerning the application of discretion to allow best use of these increased funds.

It was noted that the proposals:  

-       Benefited vulnerable residents and would enable them to remain living at home safely and in their own communities for as long as possible.

-       Made the best use of increased Better Care Funding which had been provided by central government for Councils to develop local responses to meet need from residents who required practical assistance in order to remain living at home, primarily via the Disabled Facilities Grant.

-       Supported the recommendations of the Surrey Foundations Adaptations and Equipment Review 2017.

Councillor Bramhall informed the Executive of the benefits of the revised policy and explained that the proposals would: enable the Council to spend more of its increased government allocation for disabled adaptations; would reduce the growing underspend; and would help more people access the adaptations they required more quickly. In conclusion, it was highlighted that the updated policy would benefit those in need of having their homes adapted, as well as families and wider communities who provided help and support to older and disabled residents.                   

RESOLVED that the Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations and Repairs Policy, set out in Annex 1 to the report presented to the Executive, be adopted. 

Reason for decision: To update the Private Sector Housing: Financial Assistance for Adaptations and Repairs Policy to reflect current and future circumstances, particularly increases in external funding for housing assistance, to maintain independence for older and disabled residents.

Alternative options: To make further amendments to the proposed policy or to not approve the updated policy.