Home adaptations plan for disabled residents in north Cumbria set to be approved
SENIOR councillors are next week set to agree a proposed policy on home adaptations for disabled residents at a meeting in Carlisle.
Members of Cumberland Council's executive committee are due to meet at the Civic Centre on Thursday (March 27) where they will consider a report – Home Adaptations and Assistance Policy (Regulatory Reform Order or RRO).
According to the report it sets out the key elements of the proposed policy which relates to mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants ('DFGs') and other discretionary grants.
It adds: 'The term other discretionary grants relate to additional home improvement works and other support allowable under legislation.
'The policy is a statutory requirement and is also critical to the harmonisation and transformation of the DFG service. The policy has been subject to consultation with the public, service users, elected members, staff and stakeholders.
'A summary of the feedback has helped to shape the policy and will inform the future approach to its implementation.
'Housing sits with Adult Social Care and the policy will help realise the benefit of that alliance for those that use the service.
'Executive are asked to consider the key elements within the policy which differ from the current offers delivered through the locality teams.
'The aim is to improve the preventative offer as well as transform services to offer a holistic end to end process that will speed up and improve the customer experience.'
It is recommended that members approve the policy to include:
a new service model by the creation of a Cumberland Home Improvement Agency (CHIA);
increase the amount of discretionary grants available to residents in accordance with the policy; and
offer a discretionary interest free deferred payment loan to homeowners.
In addition, they are asked to delegate authority to the director of adult social care and housing, in consultation with the portfolio holder for children and family wellbeing and housing, to make minor variations to the policy.
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