Issue - meetings

To review the criteria within the existing Disabled Facilities and Additional Grants Policy (Private Dwellings).

The Council, in its role as a local housing authority, was under a statutory duty by virtue of the provisions of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to provide Disabled Facilities Grants for private sector residential adaptations where the appropriate legislative conditions are met. The purpose of the grant included making sure the dwelling was safe for the disabled occupant and to overcome obstacles which prevent access to its facilities and amenities.

The existing Disabled Facilities and Additional Grants Policy was updated in 2025 but following two reports to Cabinet to approve grants outside the discretionary threshold, a review of the criteria to facilitate more efficient approval of the larger and complex projects being submitted, was necessary.

RESOLVED that the Disabled Facilities and Additional Grants Policy (Private Dwellings) is updated to allow approvals of amounts outside the discretionary threshold by the Head of Environmental Health, Licensing and Private Sector Housing in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and the Interim Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer of, subject to funding being available be approved.

Reason

This is in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priority of Housing to provide a good quality home for everyone by responding to need and to facilitate adaptations for disabled people in the private sector.