Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change)

The Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change) presented the Aids and Adaptations Policy which set out the scope of the service in providing aids and adaptations and the criteria by which the council will assess requests for aids and adaptations work.

During the discussion the following points were raised:

·         Member asked with regard to recouping costs from people who submit right to buy application whether the 5 years is like a shutter or if it tapers off towards the 5 years and whether the entire cost is expected to be paid at once..

·         The Assistant Director (Homes and Neighbourhood) responded  that it could be tapered over five years.

·         A Member asked a question regarding right to buy. Because of the nature of a lot of people who have had adaptations done, five years is a long-time health-wise for some people. Should there be a new tenancy within those five years, would the incoming tenants be made aware that there is still a number of years left to pay, when or if they did a right to buy application?

·         The Assistant Director (Homes and Neighbourhood) confirmed that yes the incoming tenants would need to be made aware. It is about who has had the benefit of it and with right-to-buy the council will be losing that the stock and it’s about having the ability to recycle the funds, but it would be proportionate and made clear to the new tenant going in and or at the point of sale.

·         A Member asked if a property could be converted as a temporary measure, for instance if a tenant had an accident and needed a wheelchair but it couldn’t be manoeuvred in their property or whether it would be a permanent adaptation. Also, if a tenant’s parent(s) is a wheelchair user and gone to stay with their son/daughter who were to take on care responsibility, would the council be able to adapt the property?

·         The Assistant Director (Homes and Neighbourhood) responded that with regards the question of temporary adaptations, the council would do a permanent adaptation, because in regard to needs, they are going to limited so it’s about the length of the needs for the adaptation. In regard to care responsibilities, if somebody moves into the property, that becomes their principal home and they are part of the household, therefore an application for an adaptation will be considered but it needs to be the principal home.

·         Tenants Panel asked if aids and adaptations is where they go straight to the County Council or if it is solely through the local council.

·         The Assistant Director (Homes and Neighbourhood) responded that if an occupational therapist report is required you would go to Hertfordshire County council because they employ the Occupational therapists, and they will provide the report to the local authority as the landlord. There is also the Disabled Facilities Grant which can be accessed by homeowners or those in private rented sector who have been given permission by their landlord to do the adaptation.

RESOLVED: unanimous

a)    The panel noted the revised Aids and Adaptations Policy as set out in Appendix A of the report.

b)    Recommend the policy to Cabinet for approval. However, if this is unanimously agreed, the policy will be approved by Executive Member decision following feedback from the Residents’ Panel.