Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing; the Homes Policy Development Group have made the following recommendation:

That the revised Aids and Adaptations Policy as attached in Annexe 1 be approved.

Arising from a *report of the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing; the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendation:

That the revised Aids and Adaptations Policy as attached in Annexe 1 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report stating that the revised policy considered recent legislation and tenancy agreements and enabled the Council to serve its tenants in need of adaptations to their properties

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R B Evans and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Reason for the decision - to allow for formal adoption of the updated policy. The policy is key to ensuring that tenants with disabilities are supported to have access to facilities as set out by the medical and related professional opinion, in accordance with individual need and ability in order to continue living in their home.

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing providing Members of the Policy Development Group an opportunity to review the proposed update to the Aids & Adaptations Policy.

The Group had before it a report * from the Corporate Manager for Public Health, Regulation and Housing providing Members with an opportunity to review the proposed update to the Aids & Adaptations Policy.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Who provided the Occupational Therapy service referred to within the report, how available was it and how was it delivered? It was explained that the Council had contact with both Devon County Council and the NHS. It was confirmed that there had been pressure on this service during the pandemic. The onus was on the Council to respond to an individual’s ‘Statement of Need’ once this had been obtained by partner agencies. A monthly meeting was held with Devon County Council and it had recently been agreed to commence the start time for completing the ‘aids and adaptation’ needs of clients from the moment the client contacted DCC rather than when the District Council received a ‘Statement of Need’. It was confirmed that the Building Service had conducted more work in this area in the previous quarter than they ever had before. 

·         The importance of providing adaptations to outdoor areas, such as boundary walls, as well as indoor adaptations so as to ensure the safety of residents using those areas.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the revised Aids & Adaptations Policy be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr C Eginton and seconded by Cllr R F Radford)

Reason for decision

The reason for the recommendation is to allow for formal adoption of the updated policy. The policy is key to ensuring that tenants with disabilities are supported to have access to facilities as set out by the medical and related professional opinion, in accordance with individual need and ability in order to continue living in their home.

Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed minutes.