Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Duggins, made the following statement:

“In accordance with the Constitution, I have informed the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that on those occasions when Councillor Caan is unable to act as the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, I will be undertaking any necessary action required in relation to the Public Health and Sport Portfolio, including Chairing this meeting”.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

a)  To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th February 2018.

b)  Matters arising.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February 2018 were agreed and signed as a true record.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Leader considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out proposals for the Housing Assistance Policy for the Warm and Healthy Homes for Disabled Householders Scheme.

The report indicated that disabled householders can find it difficult to stay warm in their homes because of their circumstances, and they are also particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects of living in a home that isn’t warm enough.  The Warm and Healthy Homes for Disabled Householders Scheme has been devised to respond to this issue.  Under the remit of the Better Care Fund, it will utilise £200,000 of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding in 2018/19 to provide financial assistance for insulation and heating improvements.

The scheme will offer insulation and heating improvements to householders who have either previously received a mandatory DFG from the Council, or have been assessed by the Council as being eligible for one.  This will enable additional help to be provided that would not be possible under a mandatory DFG.

The report indicated that officers would procure a suitable contractor to carry out the work required under the scheme.  The contractor will organise Energy Company Obligation funding to supplement the Better Care Fund monies, allowing more householders to be assisted overall.

It is anticipated that the scheme will improve the health and wellbeing of the assisted householders, and that it will lead to a reduced demand for primary and secondary health services.  Officers will evaluate the health benefits delivered by the scheme by carrying out pre and post-intervention health and wellbeing surveys.  In additional, hospital data may also be potentially used to evaluate scheme benefits.

A copy of the proposed Housing Assistance Policy was appended to the report submitted.

RESOLVED that the Leader agrees to the adoption of the Housing Assistance Policy to enable disabled householders to be assisted with insulation or heating improvements through the Warm and Healthy Homes for Disabled Householders Scheme.

There were no other items of public business.