100 Scrutiny Review of Disabled Facilities Grant - Final Report of People Select Committee PDF 169 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL
CABINET DECISION
PROFORMA
Cabinet Meeting ........................................................................ 13 March 2025
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Title of Item/Report
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Scrutiny Review of Disabled Facilities Grant - Final Report of People Select Committee
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Record of the Decision
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Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the People Select Committee’s review of Disabled Facilities Grant.
Local Authorities had a statutory duty to provide grant aid for a range of adaptions to eligible individuals (following an assessment) home and this was carried out via Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which was a capital grant governed by the Housing Grants and Construction Act 1996. It was funded as part of the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF) programme, a pooled budget between the NHS and Local Authorities (LA) and passed to the LA’s to administer. They enabled people to continue living safely and independently in their own home.
Demand for DFGs was rising at a time when building costs had significantly increased. As a result of this there was an increasing number of DFG applications costed above the maximum threshold of £30k. There was also a growing waiting list of both residents waiting for a DFG and the time taken from the point of application to DFG works commencing. This impacted on the health and wellbeing of individuals and potentially their ability to remain living independently in their own home. The aim of the review was to explore both current and potential alternative options to ensure the service was delivered in an efficient, effective and customer focused way.
The Committee had taken evidence from several relevant SBC services and stakeholder organisations, including representatives from the Housing Regeneration and Investment, Occupational Therapy, and Building Services teams, Foundations who were the national body for Home Improvement Agencies and Disabled Facilities Grant, and Stockton & District Information & Advice Service. In addition to considering customer satisfaction survey results, consultation also took place with residents via Stockton Parent Carer Forum. Members of the Community Partnerships, Eastern Ravens Trust and Teesside & District Society for the Blind were approached for their comments but only one, from Teesside & District Society for the Blind, was received.
RESOLVED that:-
1. In relation to the recent announcement from the Department of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding extra funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), officers be requested to monitor the impact of this extra funding on the Council’s waiting list; updates to be provided to the Select Committee as part of the monitoring of the review recommendation.
2. Officers explore the potential to engage with Teesside University to produce a study on the impact of DFG’s on people lives in the Borough and how long this potentially allows them to remain living in their own home.
3. Housing Investment & Migration Support team work with Planning to explore building upon the requirements for accessibility/adaptability in new build properties when the Local Plan is next updated and, prior to this, lobbying government to make the relevant Building Regulation mandatory.
4. The Leader and Chief Executive support officers in ... view the full decision text for item 100 |
Minutes:
Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the People Select Committee’s review of Disabled Facilities Grant.
Local Authorities had a statutory duty to provide grant aid for a range of adaptions to eligible individuals (following an assessment) home and this was carried out via Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which was a capital grant governed by the Housing Grants and Construction Act 1996. It was funded as part of the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF) programme, a pooled budget between the NHS and Local Authorities (LA) and passed to the LA’s to administer. They enabled people to continue living safely and independently in their own home.
Demand for DFGs was rising at a time when building costs had significantly increased. As a result of this there was an increasing number of DFG applications costed above the maximum threshold of £30k. There was also a growing waiting list of both residents waiting for a DFG and the time taken from the point of application to DFG works commencing. This impacted on the health and wellbeing of individuals and potentially their ability to remain living independently in their own home. The aim of the review was to explore both current and potential alternative options to ensure the service was delivered in an efficient, effective and customer focused way.
The Committee had taken evidence from several relevant SBC services and stakeholder organisations, including representatives from the Housing Regeneration and Investment, Occupational Therapy, and Building Services teams, Foundations who were the national body for Home Improvement Agencies and Disabled Facilities Grant, and Stockton & District Information & Advice Service. In addition to considering customer satisfaction survey results, consultation also took place with residents via Stockton Parent Carer Forum. Members of the Community Partnerships, Eastern Ravens Trust and Teesside & District Society for the Blind were approached for their comments but only one, from Teesside & District Society for the Blind, was received.
RESOLVED that:-
1. In relation to the recent announcement from the Department of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding extra funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), officers be requested to monitor the impact of this extra funding on the Council’s waiting list; updates to be provided to the Select Committee as part of the monitoring of the review recommendation.
2. Officers explore the potential to engage with Teesside University to produce a study on the impact of DFG’s on people lives in the Borough and how long this potentially allows them to remain living in their own home.
3. Housing Investment & Migration Support team work with Planning to explore building upon the requirements for accessibility/adaptability in new build properties when the Local Plan is next updated and, prior to this, lobbying government to make the relevant Building Regulation mandatory.
4. The Leader and Chief Executive support officers in their ongoing discussions with Registered Provider’s to explore their current and future plans for adaptations and also explore joint working to support Registered Providers to take up their responsibility, to ease pressure on the ... view the full minutes text for item 100