Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director of Operations.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the adoption of the new Home Adaptations for Council Housing Policy for the period 2025-2030.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the revised Home Adaptations for Council Housing Policy 2025- 2030, which aims   to ensure the Council is compliant with the Regulator of Social Housing Safety and Quality Standard which are designed to  assist tenants seeking housing adaptations to meet assessed health needs.

During the debate, the following points were made:

·        clarity was sought on how was the need and solution identified and agreed, were other agencies involved, and to what extent were residents involved, given their lived experience?

·        clarity was sought on the differences between major and minor adaptations for eligibility/use of a disabled facilities grants for tenants and private renters;

·        clarity was sought on section 5.4 of the policy, regarding requests where the tenant was registered with the Devon Home Choice Scheme being dealt with on an individual basis; and

·        there was a case involving a tenant using a wheelchair, who had a kitchen fitted with cupboards they could not reach. The process was unclear for both Councillor and tenant and highlighted a gap where kitchens were being fitted around individuals without proper adaptation alignment.

An opposition group leader raised the following points and questions:

·        enquired on timescales and response expectations;

·        sought clarification on adaptations policy structure and process for major/minor works; and

·        enquired on the faster rehousing through Devon Home Choice.

In response to questions raised, the Strategic Director for People and Communities  and the Strategic Director for Operations advised that:

·        with further changes expected nationally in relation to funding for home adaptations it was likely that this policy would be revised and brought back to the Executive in the next 12 months to consider additional amendments;

·        there were currently two systems in place: national Disabled Facilities Grant funded through the Better Care Fund passported to District Councils through Devon County Council, which could be utilised by people who owned their own homes;

·        the other system was rent from the private rented sector. Councils, who owned and run their own social housing were legally obliged to operate within the rules of a Housing Resource Account (HRA) and were required to provide the funding for home adaptations from within the HR. The council had traditionally operated these services separately but as part of the Senior Leadership Restructure, and work was now underway to integrate these services to provide a more streamlined and equitable offer to people irrespective of the tenure of their home;

·        the member who had referred to a specific case to contact the Strategic Director for Operations directly so he could investigate the issues;

·        minor works included handrails, tap levers and window attachments which could proceed directly;

·        major works required a statement of need from Adult Social Care, which was usually provided by an Occupational therapist. Technical assessors would assess the property to identify the specific adaptations which could be made to meet the needs of the resident;

·        the majority of referrals were mobility-related needs. In cases where a property was no longer suitable for the needs of the resident and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74