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Agenda item

Disabled Facilities Grants Policy Update

Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval for the implementation of the updated Disabled Facilities Grant Policy.

 

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Approve the updated Disabled Facilities Grant Policy, subject to availability of Disabled Facilities Grant funding from the Better Care fund annual allocation.

2.    Continue to delegate authority to approve Discretionary Disabled Facility Grant funding (DDFG) as per the Council’s Constitution.

Up to £2,500 - Service Manager/Lead

Up to £10,000 - Head of Service/Business Manager

Up to £50,000 – Assistant Director/Director

Over £50,000 – Section 151 Officer and CEO

3.    Approve the key updates to the policy that:

a)    Mandatory Grants - where the applicant is an owner occupier, and the grant value is over £5,000 a local land charge up to £10,000 may apply for 10 years

b)    Discretionary Grants – a local land charge may apply dependent upon the nature and value of the DDFG as outlined in Appendix B – Types of Assistance.

 

Decision:

The purpose of the item was to seek Cabinet approval for the implementation of the updated Disabled Facilities Grant Policy.

 

The Policy brought all Gloucestershire districts together to ensure equity for people with disabilities and enable a countywide statement of intent, (local delivery differences where appropriate) and was presented following template guidance from Foundations, the National Body for Disabled Facilities Grants in England.

 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning introduced the item.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and seconded by Councillor Bloomer, Cabinet Member for Communities

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

  1. APPROVE the updated Disabled Facilities Grant Policy, subject to availability of Disabled Facilities Grant funding from the Better Care fund annual allocation.
  2. CONTINUE TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY to approve Discretionary Disabled Facility Grant funding as per the Council’s Constitution.

·       Up to £2,500 - Service Manager/Lead

·       Up to £10,000 - Head of Service/Business Manager

·       Up to £50,000 – Assistant Director/Director

·       Over £50,000 – Section 151 Officer and CEO

  1. APPROVE the key updates to the policy that:

a) Mandatory Grants - where the applicant is an owner occupier, and the grant value is over £5,000 a local land charge up to £10,000 may apply for 10 years

b) Discretionary Grants – a local land charge may apply dependent upon the nature and value of the DDFG as outlined in Appendix B – Types of Assistance

 

Voting Record 7  For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention

 

Minutes:

The Purpose of the item was to seek Cabinet approval for the implementation of the updated Disabled Facilities Grant Policy.

 

The Policy brings all Gloucestershire districts together to ensure equity for people with disabilities and enable a countywide statement of intent, (with local delivery differences where appropriate) and was presented following template guidance from Foundations, the National Body for Disabled Facilities Grants in England.

 

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning introduced the item.

The delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) involved collaboration among various organisations, including the six district councils, the occupational therapy service, the integrated commissioning team, and the integrated care board. A new policy, developed through consultation with these stakeholders, aimed to ensure equity of provision across the county while allowing for local variations.

 

The policy was informed by guidance from Foundations, the National Body for Disabled Facilities Grants in England, and included a Gloucestershire County Statement of Intent.

 

It was highlighted that the policy introduced key updates, including a local land charge of up to £10,000 for properties receiving grants over £5,000, applicable for ten years. Discretionary grants might also be subject to land charges, depending on their nature and value. The delegation of authority for approving DFGs was outlined, with different approval levels based on grant amounts, as detailed in the recommendations.

 

To maintain the relevance of the pooled DFG funding agreement, it was decided that the matter would be added to the Leadership Gloucestershire agenda for periodic review, and the DFG Council forum would continue to meet quarterly.

 

In summary, Councillor Layton reported that the updated policy was designed to enhance the delivery and management of DFGs, ensuring that disabled individuals in the Cotswold district received the necessary support to live independently and safely in their homes

 

The Chair recognised the work put into producing the report and thanked officers for their work in supporting vulnerable residents.

 

Attention was drawn to the growing demographic of young people with disabilities by Councillor Bloomer who emphasised that the grants were invaluable not only in supporting the independence of individuals with disabilities but also in providing peace of mind to their families, ensuring that both young and elderly people could live independently and maintain their sense of self-worth.

 

Councillor Evemy noted that the funding provided to local authorities for these grants had trebled nationally since 2012, highlighting the growing need for assistance to enable people to remain in their homes. It was acknowledged that demand against the budget was increasing this year, and the importance of the land charge policy was emphasised. Councillor Evemy noted that the land charge allowed for the recovery of funds if recipients moved on quickly after receiving adaptations, ensuring the money could be reused for other grants. Reassurance was given that this process was managed with officer discretion and aimed to support fairness and sustainability.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and seconded by Councillor Bloomer, Cabinet Member for Communities

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

  1. APPROVE the updated Disabled Facilities Grant Policy, subject to availability of Disabled Facilities Grant funding from the Better Care fund annual allocation.
  2. CONTINUE TO DELEGATE authority to approve Discretionary Disabled Facility Grant funding as per the Council’s Constitution.

·         Up to £2,500 - Service Manager/Lead

·         Up to £10,000 - Head of Service/Business Manager

·         Up to £50,000 – Assistant Director/Director

·         Over £50,000 – Section 151 Officer and CEO

  1. APPROVE the key updates to the policy that:

a) Mandatory Grants - where the applicant is an owner occupier, and the grant value is over £5,000 a local land charge up to £10,000 may apply for 10 years

b) Discretionary Grants – a local land charge may apply depending upon the nature and value of the DDFG as outlined in Appendix B – Types of Assistance

 

Voting Record 7  For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention

 

Supporting documents:

 

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