Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to

declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which he might have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which he had in the business on the agenda. No additional interests were declared.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak at the meeting can do so. The deadline for registering is at 5.00 pm on Friday 16 June 2017.

Members of the public may register to speak on an item on the agenda or an issue within the Executive Member’s remit.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast and that

includes any registered public speakers, who have given their

permission. This broadcast can be viewed at

http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors

and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This

includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting. Anyone

wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting

should contact the Democracy Officers (whose contact details are

at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of

Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a

manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all

those present. It can be viewed at:

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 22 May 2017.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Decision Session held on 22 May 2017.

Resolved:                     That the minutes of the Decision Session – Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods held on 22 May 2017 be approved and then signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

This report asks the Executive Member to note the receipt of £1.101m from the Better Care Fund (BCF) for the provision of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and approve a number of changes to the Private Sector Assistance Policy to ensure York residents are able to maximise the funding available.

Resolved:

a)   That the receipt of £1.101m from the Better Care Fund (BCF), complimented by the contribution from the Council’s own capital budget, be noted.

b)   That Option 1, to amend to the Private Sector Assistance Policy (the policy) and introduce a number of changes to the policy around the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) element, including some transitional arrangements, be agreed.

Reason:              To ensure that the increased DFG funding allocation is used effectively and offers a prompt and streamlined service which aims to prevent, reduce and delay need for NHS commissioned and Social Care services.

The Executive Leader considered a report which outlined a number of proposed changes to the Private Sector Assistance Policy in order to ensure that York residents are able to maximise the funding that is available through the Better Care Fund (BCF) and Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG). The Housing Standards and Adaptations Manager was in attendance to answer any questions.

It was explained that the increase in funding from the Department of Health aimed at preventing, reducing and delaying the need for NHS-commissioned and Social Care services provided an opportunity to review the disabled facilities grant. The proposal of introducing a new non-means tested discretionary adaptation grant for work having a total value of less than £5,000 would result with significant reduction of processing times which will have beneficial effects for the customers. The suggested Discretionary Assistance changes broadening the scope of the work covered were also noted. It was confirmed that they were subject to the Council’s annual budget setting procedures as well as the availability of sufficient levels of external funding. All such payments were at the Council’s discretion and would be removed once available funds were exhausted.

The Executive Member asked for clarification in relation to improvement of the waiting times should the changes be approved. It was noted that the current processes take, on average, 272 days. Removing means testing for lower value work would allow certain adaptations to be carried out more quickly rather than having to wait for housing standards and adaptations service to carry out a financial assessment; this would also increase team’s capacity to deal with other customers.

The Executive Member thanked the Officer for her input.

Resolved:                     a) That the receipt of £1.101m from the Better Care Fund (BCF), complimented by the contribution from the Council’s own capital budget, be noted.

b) That Option 1, to amend to the Private Sector Assistance Policy (the policy) and introduce a number of changes to the policy around the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) element, including some transitional arrangements, be agreed.

Reason:                        To ensure that the increased DFG funding allocation is used effectively and offers a prompt and streamlined service which aims to prevent, reduce and delay need for NHS-commissioned and Social Care services.

Any other business which the Executive Member considers

urgent under the Local Government Act 1972.