Issue - meetings

Report number LDS248 of the Leader of the Council.                   (Enclosure)

The Leader presented report number LDS248 which provided Council members with copies of the reports submitted to, and the minutes of Cabinet meetings, including decisions taken by individual Cabinet Members.

A number of members asked questions about the papers included in the report.

A question was raised about an individual Cabinet Member decision to buy commercial property outside South Kesteven. The decision had been called-in and would be the subject of discussion at a meeting of the Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 December 2017.

One member asked about the usage level of the existing cinema. The relevant Cabinet member reported that in the last year it had had approximately 60,000 attendees. The preferred operator for the new five-screen cinema had projected it would attract 200,000 attendees each year.

Reference was made to proposals that were considered by the Cabinet, which would mean that Councillors would have access to £1,000 each to support community groups and initiatives in their own Wards. The Leader confirmed that the Cabinet had agreed to the principle of such a scheme but had asked the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee to develop appropriate criteria, rules and procedures for the scheme. One member indicated that they had requested the opportunity to speak on the subject when it was last discussed by the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting but had not been allowed the opportunity. The Chairman of that Committee stated that he had not been present at the last meeting but agreed that the member would be able to speak on the subject at the next meeting.

Report number ENV669 of the Cabinet Member for Communities.   (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.    Cabinet approves the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy – Independent Living

2.    That the Council’s Capital programme for 2017/18 be amended to recognise the increased funding of £733,770 which is available from the Better Care Fund for Disabled Facilities Grants

3.    That delegated authority is given to the Cabinet Member for Communities to make any minor amendments to the policy that may be required to support its continued effectiveness

Considerations/reasons for decision

1.    Report number ENV669 of the Cabinet Member for Communities and the draft Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy appended to the report.

2.    Local authorities’ statutory duty to provide disabled facilities grants.

3.    The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, which includes a general power to give financial assistance for home repair, improvement and adaptation if it is given in accordance with a published policy.

4.    The district council’s 2017/18 grant entitlement of £733,770 from the Government Better Care Fund.

5.    Offering preventative solutions can help reduce reliance on health and social care.

6.    Based on the current demand for mandatory disabled facilities grants, an underspend had been forecast in 2017/18.

7.    Considerations of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meetings on 11 July and 5 September 2017, including a recommendation to adopt the policy.

8.    Statistical information on the impact of means-testing on grant applications.

9.    Mandatory disabled facilities grants only address the needs of a person in respect of their disability while a Better Care Fund capital grant could support wider social care outcomes.

10.Comments made by the Chairman of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the meeting.

Other options considered

The Council does not have to offer discretionary financial assistance, but failure to do so could leave vulnerable people at risk of avoidable harm. There was an expectation from Government that the increased funding levels will lead to better outcomes for residents and reduced reliance on health and social care services.

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In introducing the proposals, the Cabinet Member for Communities provided contextual information about changes to the funding level and distribution of disabled facilities grants. The proposed policy had been designed to help improve the speed of the application process. Specific reference was made to dementia aids and adaptations, which was a new area for which grants could be awarded, and the referral process for those. Cabinet Members stated that the increased funding and movement away from means-testing could improve the quality of life for a number of people and bring benefits that would especially be felt by other public services.

A request was made that the projected outturn of the fund, taking account of grants awarded, should be kept under review to enable the adjustment of criteria in-year should an underspend be projected.

Cabinet members agreed the recommendations listed in report number ENV669.