Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               the revised Disabled Facilities Grant Policy as referred to at Appendix 1 of the report be approved; and

b)               any further revisions to the Policy due to statutory changes be delegated to the Director – Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change, Councillor Brennan, presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods, providing an update on the revisions to the Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant Policy.

Councillor Brennan advised that the aim of the Grant was to enable people to receive assistance, to allow them to remain in their own homes, which was beneficial for them, and reduced demand on other critical services. 

Cabinet was advised that the Policy was aligned to the wider Nottinghamshire Policy, and would be adopted by other districts and boroughs in the county.  The provision of such grants was mandatory and awarded through the Better Care Fund, which was administered by Nottinghamshire County Council and the reasons for the revised Policy were set out in paragraph 4 of the report.

Councillor Brennan advised that the upper limit of the mandatory grant had been set nationally at £30k, with the key change now being to increase the upper limit of the discretionary grant for major adaptations from £10k to £20k.  Further key revisions to the Policy were highlighted in paragraph 4.8 of the report.

In conclusion, Councillor Brennan advised that aim of the changes was to ensure a consistent approach across the county and that this provision was a legal requirement.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Inglis stated that it was pleasing to note that the grant amounts were being increased, to reflect increased costs, as the adaptations were so important in assisting residents to live independently.  Taking away the fixed five year term for any revision would allow the document to be updated when necessary, and that flexibility was welcomed.

Councillor Robinson referred to pressures on the NHS and stressed the importance of ensuring that residents had the opportunity to stay in their own properties, through the use of the grants.