Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report on changes introduced by the Communities and Local Government to modernise the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme and improve delivery of adaptations to the homes of disabled persons nationally.  The report also asked whether Members wished to allow for a 'Claw Back' clause for DFGs granted over £5,000, requiring repayment of up to a maximum of £10,000 in the event of an adapted property being sold or transferred within ten years of the award of a grant.  Officers advised that stair lifts were not included in the process and that these would be recycled should a property with a stair lift become vacated, with a County wide scheme due to be established for this.  If agreeing to the introduction of charges Officers would work closely with the County Council to draw up detailed procedures for the implementation of this.          

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the package of changes introduced nationally to the Disabled Facilities Programme be noted;

(b)       that the general consent enabling the local authority to place a limited charge on owner occupied adapted properties where the grant exceeds £5,000 be implemented, and a condition requiring repayment of grant of up to a maximum of £10,000 in the event of the adapted property being sold or transferred within 10 years of the grant being awarded be introduced; and

(c)        that authority to waiver the repayment condition in accordance with the Government’s criteria set out in section 4.3 (b) of the report be delegated to the Head of Planning and Environment in consultation with the Strategic Housing Manager and the Private Sector Housing Team Leader.