Issue - items at meetings - Housing Adaptations

Report of the Strategic Director, Place

 (i) That Housing Committee note the background information and service  improvements to better manage the demand for adaptations, the improved assessment and delivery times, and the current situation concerning capital budgets.

(ii)   That Housing Committee note and approve the proposals to improve

communication and client involvement through the team’s on-going work with the Fed (the Brighton & Hove Federation of Disabled People) and Tenants Disability Network. In particular, as outlined in paragraph 3.9 of the report, to identify contact details for a named officer contact within the Housing Adaptations Service.

33.1The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place which provided background information on the role of the Integrated Housing Adaptations Team and its work to improve access to housing adaptations across all tenures in the City. The report also set out proposals to improve the communication and client involvement by providing more and better information about the process.

33.2Councillor Farrow noted that it appeared that there would be a shortfall in available funding and that there was no top up available. Officers said that issue would be part of the budget, but other options were being considered and demand would be managed where possible. Assessments would be carried out and priority given to critical cases first.

33.3 Councillor Shanks asked if there was a charge for adaptations. Officers advised that adaptations for children were provided for free, but all others were means tested.

33.4 Councillor Mears was concerned over the budget available as adaptations often enabled people to remain in their homes. Councillor Powell agreed that making adaptations to properties was essential, but there was a shortfall in available funding. Councillor Jarrett, who was Chair of the Adult, Care and Health Committee, said that he would speak to the Director of Adult Social Services to see if money could be transferred from their budget, and would also discuss the matter with colleagues within the NHS.

33.5 RESOLVED

(i) That Housing Committee note the background information and service

improvements to better manage the demand for adaptations, the improved assessment and delivery times, and the current situation concerning capital budgets.

(ii) That Housing Committee note and approve the proposals to improve

communication and client involvement through the team’s on-going work with the Fed (the Brighton & Hove Federation of Disabled People) and Tenants Disability Network. In particular, as outlined in paragraph 3.9 of the report, to identify contact details for a named officer contact within the Housing Adaptations Service.

Report of the Strategic Director, Place

24.1 The Sub Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director Place which provided an update on housing adaptations. A report has been requested at the Housing Committee held on 26 September 2012. The report provided background information on the role of the Integrated Housing Adaptations Team within Housing Commissioning, and the work being undertaken to improve access to housing adaptations across all tenures in the city.

24.2 Mr Crowhurst was aware that some properties had had adaptations which were not needed by the current tenants, and asked whether officers received training in letting properties which had been adapted. Officers advised that surveyors and letting agents did receive training. Properties were advertised appropriately, adapted properties were ring fenced and those who had particular needs were taken to view flats to ensure they were appropriate.

24.3 Councillor Mears asked how much money remained in the budget for adaptations, and asked what would happen if the budget ran out as it was important that all those who had been assessed received the work needed. Officers advised that should there be any shortfall it would be topped up from the budget from the Housing Revenue Account. It was anticipated that there may need to be a top up during the current financial year of around £200,000 to £300,000. The budget was monitored and any increases within the current financial year would be reported to Policy and Resources Committee through Targeted Budget Monitoring report. In addition, officers advised that increased annual HRA funding for council housing adaptations is being identified within future HRA capital programme budgets. For the private sector housing adaptations, private sector housing renewal capital funding, supported by borrowing against New Homes Bonus following the end of Government financial support for housing renewal, has been used to ‘top up’ the Government Disabled Facilities Grant allocation to support a total budget of £1.1m. There is no private sector housing renewal funding currently identified for next financial year. This year the cost and commitments of adaptations to the private sector would exceed the money available and discussions were being held with the Finance Team. Councillor Jarrett was supportive of continued funding to maintain private sector housing adaptations budget. Councillors Mears asked if a report providing more details on this could be provided for a future meeting. The Chair agreed.

24.4 Mr Penrose noted that it had been four years since he last attended the meeting as a tenant representative, and was pleased to note how much the performance had improved.

24.5 Councillor Peltzer Dunn referred to paragraph 3.5 of the report which gave the number of new referrals received each month and the current number of cases in the assessment process, and asked why it appeared to be taking longer to deal with applications. Officers advised that the information provided was intended to give a snapshot of work being undertaken, and the cases in progress were at different levels of assessment. Councillor Peltzer Dunn asked if a report could be provided giving more detailed information. The Chair agreed.

24.6 RESOLVED

         1. That the Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee noted the background information and service improvements to better manage the demand for adaptations, the improved assessment and delivery times, and the current situation concerning capital budgets.

         2. That the Housing Management Consultative Sub Committee noted and approved the proposals to improve communication and client involvement through the team’s on-gong work with the Brighton & Hove Federation for Independent Living and the Tenants Disability Network.