Decision details

Purpose of Report: To describe the current subsidy in place to cover the cost of Be Independent (emergency alarm call service) and to propose that this is charged to customers on a means tested basis in line with customers in other tenure types.

The Executive Member for Housing is asked to approve the proposal that the charge for using the Be Independent service in sheltered housing schemes should be passed on to customers to pay.

This is in line with general needs housing and other (non-CYC) sheltered housing properties, and customers on a low income will receive financial support to cover the cost of this service in line with customers in other tenure types.

Resolved: That the proposal to charge customers in sheltered housing schemes for using the Be Independent service be approved.

Reason: This will create an equitable position where all customers receive a subsidy based on an assessment of means, rather than some customers receiving a subsidy as a result of the type of housing they live in.