Decision details

1.     To approve the revised policy (at Appendix 1).

2.     To approve the principles of the local agreement to be entered into with the Registered Providers.

3.     To grant delegated authority to the Executive Member for Homes and Business to finalise the local agreement.

4.     To approve the method for dealing with the backlog of ‘critical/substantial’ needs major adaptations accumulated by one Registered Provider (as outlined at paragraph 14).

5.     To approve the additional budget of £57k required to undertake the additional adaptations which will result from the above.

The Executive Member for Homes and Business presented the report which set out the results of a review of the DFG Policy. 

The Private Sector Housing Assistance policy had been reviewed and approved by Executive Cabinet on 23February 2012.  The section of the policy which related to DFGs had not been included in the revised policy as further work was needed with regard to consulting with Registered Providers of Social Housing (RPs) and developing the principles of an agreement to allow RPs access to the DFG budget. 

In February Executive Cabinet approved the start of negotiations with RPs to develop an agreement whereby the Council and RPs share the cost of major adaptations on a 50/50 basis.  The report detailed progress in relation to negotiations with RPs, as well as providing options with regard to the funding required to deal with the resulting additional demands on the DFG budget.

Decision made

1.     Approval of the revised policy.

2.     Approval of the principles of the local agreement to be entered into with the Registered Providers.

3.     Delegated authority be granted to the Executive Member for Homes and Business to finalise the local agreement.

4.     Approval for the method for dealing with the backlog of ‘critical/substantial’ needs major adaptations accumulated by one Registered Provider.

5.     Approval for the additional budget of £57k required to undertake the additional adaptations which will result from the above.

Reason(s) for decision

To update the policy to reflect changes in government policy and to comply with legislation to allow RPs access to the DFG budget via a cost sharing arrangement which will be embodied in a document known as a ‘local agreement’.

Alternative option(s) considered and rejected

These were set out in paragraph 5 of the report.