Agenda item

David McCulloch introduced his report on Disabled Facilities Grants. The Policy Overview Committee had requested an information report that provided a background report relating to the availability of Disabled Facilities Grants in Hillingdon.

Disabled Facilities Grants were mandatory grants provided applicants had met certain statuary criteria. The concept was to provide people with a safe adapted environment in their homes to live in.

Grants were means tested and Hillingdon made top-ups available above the £30,000 statutory limit.  There was a cost saving to the Council as people could stay in their homes rather than being put into residential care.

The grants needed to be necessary and appropriate for the needs of the client and reasonable and practical in terms of costs and scope. Clients went through Social Services for the initial assessment, and if a major adaptation was found necessary then a referral was made to Housing. Urgent cases were put though as category 1, category 2 cases were non-urgent that were put on a waiting list.

Cabinet had approved £3million budget in February subject to the Government contribution. If this did occur than the waiting list would be cleared during 2010/11. The number of referrals from Social Services had fallen this year in comparison to previous years. The target waiting time for clients was 25 weeks for Hillingdon, the Council had met and exceeded this target at 23 weeks.

Overall satisfaction levels from those clients receiving grants were high, at 90& being ‘satisfied or very satisfied’ with their adaptation and the approach of the Council. 60% of grants went to over 60 year olds.

The Council was looking at ways to assist the small number of service users who did not qualify for a grant but genuinely could not afford it. This included people on very low incomes, with no capital and substantial outgoings in the form of existing mortgages.

Officers periodically looked at how we compared to other Councils in terms of costs. The Council worked with a set price, and rates were agreed beforehand. This was a much more efficient and quicker way rather than getting estimates for each job.

The Council was looking at getting a West London wide contract for stairlifts. Hillingdon Council compared well against other West London boroughs in the average costs of stairlifts and through floor lifts.

Grants were also paid to Registered Social Landlord’s as they had a right to apply. This had been under review by CLG and an announcement was imminent on this. If it was agreed that Council’s paid 60% and RSLs paid the remaining 40% then it would give the Council around £100,000 saving in the DFG budget. This was the equivalent of 30 stairlifts.

Members commented that this was something the Council did well and wished to congratulation the department on always looking to improve and getting value for money.

Members also commented that looking to the future than demand for the services would increase. Meeting this would be a challenge.

Members also thanked officers for reducing waiting times and improving the service offered to users.

Resolved –

1. That the Committee noted the report and questioned officers on the contents of the report.
2. That the Committee thanked officers on the report and commended them on the improvements made.