Issue - meetings

Following a request from Members, the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report updating Members on the Disabled Facilities Grants programme and the results of a countywide review of housing adaptations services, eligibility and process.  The Environmental Health Manager - Residential, provided a summary of the report including statistics on grants approved in 2014/15 and in the year to date.

In response to a query regarding promotional literature, the Environmental Health Manager – Residential said that she would arrange for posters to be sent to Members for public display.

Councillor A Alder referred to people in private rented accommodation who might apply for a grant.  The Environmental Health Manager – Residential explained that the scheme was open to private rented tenants and that the Council had given two such grants in the past year.

Councillor J Kaye referred to means testing, specifically in relation to war veterans.  The Environmental Health Manager – Residential explained the special arrangements enshrined in legislation for these individuals and explained generally, how the referral process worked.  The Chairman commented that war veterans could also contact the British Legion for help. 

The Chairman expressed concern that the referral rate was falling and hoped that the Council could be more proactive.  The Environmental Health Manager – Residential explained that there was a waiting list for Occupational Therapist (OT) referrals at the moment. 

Members also expressed their concern about falling levels of referrals and supported a suggestion that Officers should investigate this and to see what could be done to establish a closer working relationship with OTs and to seek a swifter referral process.  The Chairman stated that if Members knew of any families needing help that they should contact the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing. 

The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing agreed that a closer connection with OTs would be beneficial to a speedier process.

The Committee supported the recommendation as now detailed and that Officers write to appropriate Officers at Hertfordshire County Council expressing concern about the falling levels of referrals and seeking a way forward to work closer with OTs, resulting in a swifter referral process.

RESOLVED – that (A) flyers be distributed to Members to promote Disabled Facilities Grants to residents;

(B)   the approach being taken by the ongoing Herts review of Adaptations to support independent living be supported, in principle; and

(C)   Officers write to appropriate Senior Officers at Hertfordshire County Council expressing Members’ concerns about the falling levels of referrals and seeking a way forward to work closer with Occupational Therapists to enable  a swifter referral process.