Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Services regarding the demand for disabled facilities grants and the implications for the 2011/12 budget.

To maintain the current level of service for Disabled Facilities Grants and approved a supplementary capital estimate to meet the increase in demand.

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the implications for the Council’s 2011/12 budget provision of an increase in the take up of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s) and options available to address the situation.

Executive Councillors were advised that there was insufficient funds to progress a number of cases in the current year and in order to maintain the present level of service, an increase of £1.116m would be required. In considering the reasons for the increased demand and cost, Executive Councillors were advised of an option for authorities to defer payment of approved cases for up to 12 months so long as it is not used to limit demand or reduce expenditure.  In noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being), Members acknowledged that any delay in providing such grants would have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of those requiring adaptations to their home.  Having expressed the need for the Government to recognise the cost to authorities of providing these grants when considering any new funding systems, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

that the current level of service for Disabled Facilities Grants be maintained and a supplementary capital estimate approved immediately to meet the increase in demand.

To consider and comment on a report by the Head of Housing Services prior to its submission to the Cabinet.

(Councillor N J Guyatt, Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning & Housing was in attendance for this item.)

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel were acquainted with the implications for the Council’s Budget of an increase in demand for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)  and the options which were available to meet that demand. Councillor N J Guyatt reminded Members that the Cabinet had previously agreed that applications for DFGs should be dealt with as expeditiously as possible. He went on to state that there were now insufficient funds to progress a number of cases in the current year. It was estimated that to maintain the current level of service, an increase of £1.116m would be required to the 2011/12 budget.

Having been acquainted with the reasons for the increased demand and cost of adaptations, Members were reminded that the Council was required to set a budget that could meet demand for DFGs. Members were also advised that  authorities could defer payment of approved cases for up to 12 months but this could not be used to limit demand or reduce expenditure and would merely defer the payment to the following year. With this in mind and having considered  the options which were available, Members concluded that any delay in providing DFGs could have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of those who required adaptations and that the Council should continue with its current policy of dealing with applications as expeditiously as possible.

In response to a specific question by a Member regarding labour costs in the current economic climate, the Head of Housing Services explained the process by which quotations for works were obtained and assured the Panel that the contracts for works completed under the DFG scheme were competitive. Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to approve a supplementary capital estimate so that there are no delays in applicants receiving adaptations to their homes.