Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities

Cabinet considered the report of the Environmental Health Officer (Residential) and the above Cabinet Member.  The report asked the Cabinet to agree a revised policy in order to assist with delayed hospital discharge (bed blocking), and to provide more assistance to enable particularly vulnerable people to live independently at home for longer.

The Cabinet Member drew attention to the change in the title of the Cabinet Portfolio, which should be reflected throughout the document, and welcomed the updates to the policy which would give additionally flexibility to help people to stay in their homes, as set out in the report.

Discussion ensued, during which attention was drawn to the Staying Put service and the amendments to the policy in respect of means testing.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities agreed to consider Members’ suggestions regarding the potential to standardise equipment, to collaborate more in the design of new developments/dwellings and options for families to top up a grant application.

The Chief Executive congratulated the team on their sterling work in getting to this position, and these sentiments were echoed by the Leader.

Resolved:

(1) That the amendments to the Housing Assistance Policy be agreed.

(2) That the Head of Resident Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities, be given delegated authority to make further minor changes to the policy and switch funds between approved categories in the light of demand and expenditure considerations and to make minor changes and revisions to eligibility criteria arising from changes to benefit/tax credit regimes without the need for formal policy re-adoption.