Issue - meetings

The Committee heard from the Homes, Health and Wellbeing Team Manager regarding the Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) current position and seeking to adopt the Disabled Facilities Grant Policy. It was explained that the Council had a statutory duty under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to undertake mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants. In December 2021, the Government published their Adult Social Care reform white paper which set out a 10-year vision for adult social care and detailed a number of potential changes to DFG legislation. Details of the proposed DFG amendments were detailed within section 4.2 of the report.

Members of the Committee enquired as to the increased costs for adaptations, and whether there was any scope for further savings, for example if the Council undertook the work rather than sourcing contractors. It was explained that the costs involved would remain a focus of review, as there was no intention to overspend if it could be avoided, however there would have been no reduction in costs had the work been undertaken any differently. In response to a question regarding the £6000 savings amount that triggered means-testing for a DFG, it was confirmed that this was a government-set requirement and was intended to be amended in the upcoming white paper. It was explained that this savings limit did not preclude a person from having a DFG, only that there would need to be a means-test undertaken.

Members of the Committee enquired as to the implications of the government announcement regarding expedited discharges from hospital, specifically regarding the impact this would have on demand for DFGs, as well as whether the discretionary element of DFG funding would be recommenced to help enable hospital discharges. It was explained that the DFG process was not intended to be an emergency response service, that it was an element of assistance that was available but ran alongside multiple services that were better placed to address the requirements on discharge from hospital. A Member of the Committee highlighted the work undertaken by the Royal British Legion and it was confirmed that there was joint working, and signposting of people to, the Royal British Legion and other organisations, and that in some cases they were more appropriate than a DFG.

With regard to the cessation of the discretionary funding, it was noted that it was hoped this would be a temporary stop, however Members would be kept informed of any future changes. The Committee also recognised that the DFG was an element of support and assistance available to those requiring it, and it was requested that, in view of the all-out elections in May 2023, a quick reference flow chart could be included in the Member Welcome Pack, in order for all Councillors, but particularly those newly elected, to have a reference point as to where to direct enquiries if received from residents. Officers undertook to work on this.

Having been moved and seconded, the Chairman took the vote on the recommendation contained within the report and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53