Agenda item

To receive a presentation from the Strategic Housing Manager.

Karen Carsberg, Strategic Housing Manager, attended to present the Disabled Facilities Grant and Home Improvement Agency (HIA) report. Prior to reporting on the content, attention was drawn to a discrepancy in the figures in paragraphs 1.3 and 11.2. It was confirmed that the correct figure was £1,316,000 rather than £1,289,000.

It was explained that Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) were mandatory grants worth up to £30,000 which were provided under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. It was reported that for 2011/12 there was a budget of £1,320,000 of which £700,000 was centrally funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) with the remainder funded by Cheshire East Council.

It was reported that the DFGs helped disabled residents to meet the cost of adapting their homes, facilitating independent living and helping individuals to maintain their personal dignity. Attention was drawn to a number of case studies which demonstrated both the cost savings and better outcomes for customers that the DFGs created as opposed to residential care for example. It was also noted that the DFGs helped to reduce the chance of falls in homes, thereby having the effect of saving money for the Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT.

Karen Carsberg continued to explain that the demand for DFGs had increased significantly due to a number of factors – most notably an aging population and an increase in complex adaptations. It was reported that the service had made a number of improvements in order to cope with this increased demand and that these had made a number of impacts. For example, it was described how the timescales for completion of works following grant approval had seen a 38% reduction.

Having said this, Karen Carsberg confirmed that Cheshire East, aware that the demand would continue to grow, would be looking to make further improvements. Of particular importance was the need to form a single HIA Service for Cheshire East. It was reported that this would create more efficiency in work flow and management practice and would help Cheshire East to provide a consistent service across the Borough.

In opening the questioning, the Chairman queried that as DFGs were accessible to all tenures how were they, if at all, linked to benefits. Karen Carsberg explained that anyone could apply for a DFG but that they would have to qualify through a means test unless the grant related to a child. It was also confirmed that if the grant recipient was on benefits and they qualified, they would receive an automatic 100% grant. For someone not on benefits they would not necessarily receive a 100% grant, as their needs would be further means tested.

Continuing the point of means testing, it was queried what classed as ‘disabled’. Karen Carsberg explained that whilst there was no definitive classification of disability, it was the Occupational Therapists’ responsibility to make the correct assessment on people’s needs so that they could continue to maintain their independence.

Attention was drawn to the performance management targets outlined in paragraph 13.3 of the report. It was queried whether the service had the capacity to achieve the targets and whether this would be done quickly. Karen Carsberg reported that the proposed creation of a single HIA would hopefully mean that these targets would be met quickly.

A number of comments were made regarding the ‘invest to save’ potential of the DFGs. It was suggested that there was a need for more robust figures in terms of the actual and potential cost savings as a direct consequence of DFGs. For instance, it was contended that if Cheshire East could demonstrate the amount of money that DFGs saved the NHS in terms of reducing hip fractures and other injuries, conversations could be sought with health partners for funding thereby increasing the amount of DFGs available. It was also suggested that these figures be brought back to the Committee at a future meeting so that a case could be made to Cabinet during the business planning process to increase the budget allocation for DFGs.

RESOLVED –

a)    That the report be received.

b)    That the Committee receive robust figures in terms of the potential cost savings as a result of DFGs at a future meeting in order for a potential case to be constructed for increasing Cheshire East’s budget contribution and to have conversations with health partners regarding match funding.