Decision details

Arising from a report from the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services, the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations:

(1)       The revised Housing Assistance Policy attached in Annex 1 be approved.

(2)       The ECO Flex Statement of Intent (SOI) attached in Annex 4, associated with the revised Housing Assistance Policy be approved.

(3)       Delegated authority be given to the Director of Operations in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Housing to suspend some or all non-mandatory parts of the revised Housing Assistance Policy attached in Annex 1 if adequate funding is not available.

(4)       Delegated authority be given to the Director of Operations in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Housing to determine continued participation in the Wessex Home Improvement Loans Scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that in 2015 the Government had introduced the Better Care Fund (BCF) in an attempt to bring health and social care together in an integrated way. The policy provided for flexibility and discretion for Councils to provide appropriate assistance to meet 4 objectives:

Objective 1 - Assist disabled residents to remain in their own homes through supporting the provision of adaptations (so far as this is necessary, appropriate and reasonably practicable) to prevent admissions to care and to assist with delayed transfers where possible.

Objective 2 – Safeguard the health and well-being of vulnerable residents by removing unnecessary hazards to health and safety in the home to reduce avoidable emergency admissions

Objective 3 – Provide adaptations that are suitable for the future by ensuring the scheme of works is dementia aware.

Objective 4 – Assist vulnerable people to afford to heat their homes through appropriate energy efficiency and heating measures.

He continued by outlining the summary of assistance that was also available, that of the Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant, the Accessible Homes Grant, the Home Improvement Loan Scheme and the ECO Flex Top Up Scheme.

Consideration was given to the delegated authority being given to the Director of Operations in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Housing to suspend some or all of the non-mandatory parts of the revised Housing Assistance Policy.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note:  Report previously copy attached to minutes.