Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Housing Strategy Manager regarding a review of the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency shared service and a review of the ongoing demand for Disabled Facilities Grants.

Notes the position following three years of the shared Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency service; and

Agrees to delegate authority to the Head of Development in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing to sign a new Partnership Agreement for a further two years with provision for an extension for a further three years by agreement.

The Cabinet received a progress review report by the Housing Strategy Manager on the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA) shared service following three years of operation (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which was presented by the Head of Development.

The CHIA shared service, developed in partnership with Cambridge City Council (CCC) and South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC), went ‘live’ on 1st April 2012.  Staff were employed by CCC with the main office located within SCDC.

It was reported that the shared Home Improvement Agency (HIA) service had been successful in meeting its initial aims and objectives and had the potential to achieve further efficiencies both internally and externally in the future.  The performance data indicated high volumes of work for the three years the shared HIA had been in operation and that 2014/15 performance targets had been achieved. 

The CHIA previously agreed in principle to include East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) in the shared service, subject to a detailed Business Case being developed.  However, having been appraised of the Business Case for service expansion, ECDC had decided not to join the shared service as they were content that their in-house service was fit for purpose and they did not foresee significant benefits from disrupting their current arrangement.

It had been noted that performance in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2015/16 had decreased for a number of reasons including an increase in volumes of work, loss of a surveyor and the necessary introduction of new procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.  Reasons for this and potential options were being explored by the CHIA Management Board.

The original three-year CHIA Agreement was extended in 2014 and expired in March 2016.  The Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Head of Development in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing to sign a new Partnership Agreement for a further two years with provision for an extension for a further three years by agreement.

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) were part funded through the Council’s Capital fund and the remainder was Government funded via the Better Care Fund.  Officers continued to influence the strategic direction of the Better Care Fund towards preventative services, demonstrating the value of the DFG programme to the health and social care agenda.

The maximum DFG that was able to be awarded was £30,000 and DFGs for adults were subject to a means test. It was suggested that in the current economic climate and when other budgets were being reduced, if possible the maximum amount awarded should be reduced, particularly if the applicant had assets available to fund the adaptations. 

Having considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

to

i.  note the position following three years of the shared Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency service; and

ii.  agree to delegate authority to the Head of Development in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing to sign a new Partnership Agreement for a further two years with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61

To receive a report on the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA) Shared Service Review and Disabled Facilities Grant Budget.

With the aid of a report by the Housing Strategy Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (CHIA) Shared Service Review and Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) report was presented to the Panel. Members were advised that the CHIA shared service had been in operation since 1st April 2012 and required Cabinet approval to be extended for a further two years.

The Panel had been informed that CHIA had dealt with 437 enquiries within the District during 2014/15. Customer satisfaction for the District was 89% which was lower than Cambridge City (97%) and South Cambridgeshire (100%). The average time taken to complete works following a referral within the District was 26.3 weeks on cases costing below £10k and 69.6 weeks on cases costing above £10k. Both were above their respective key performance targets of 26 weeks (below £10k) and 45 weeks (above £10k). It was noted that works costing above £10k are complex involving multi agencies and often require planning permission which accounts for some of the time.

Members noted that CHIA delivered a surplus of £18k at the end of year 3 which had been reinvested in a procurement programme. The Panel was advised that East Cambridgeshire District Council had decided not to join CHIA.

Following a query regarding the timescales Members were informed that the timescales include the entire process from assessment to sourcing quotes to carrying out the work. For low level work such as the installation of a rail, people can access a handyman service so that the work can be carried out swiftly. The Panel requested further statistics on how the time is broken down between lead in time and improvement works.

The Panel discussed the £18k surplus and was advised that it was as a result of the operational budget generating a surplus.

Members were advised that there was more DFGs in the District compared to Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire because the District’s population is larger and older. In addition Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire had council housing and the District does not meaning that the District had to use DFGs to make improvements for those residents living in social housing who are entitled to it whereas the Partner Districts are able to use a different budget to pay for improvements.

Following a question regarding the CHIA agreement the Panel was informed that the original agreement was for three years with an option to extend by a year. At the current time the partner organisations were looking to extend the shared service by two years. Members noted the benefits of the shared service including: saving costs on accommodation, staff and equipment; operational resilience and economies of scale with regards to procurement.

The Panel was concerned with the decrease in Occupational Therapy referrals however Members were informed that this could be a result of a shortage of Occupational Therapists. The service had a problem with regards to recruitment and retention of staff however the problem was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53