Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report which sought approval of a new Policy on the provision of major adaptations in Flintshire County Council’s family houses and upper floor flats.

The budget for home adaptations within Council housing was £850k for major adaptations and £150k for minor adaptations totalling a budget of £1m which was always fully spent.  When comparing the level of annual budget provision in Flintshire to other social landlords, spend was consistently higher than many other organisations.  With the number and complexity of adaptations required increasing, a focus on considering re-housing to a more suitable property had been taken over the last two years where appropriate.  The basis of that had been taking a considered approach where adaptations cost over £10k.

Level access showers in family housing seriously affected the future ability to let a property when it became vacant.  Young families would not accept a house with a level access shower as there was no facility to bathe children, the result of which was often the need to remove the level access shower and reinstate the bathroom which could cost an additional £4.5k.  There was a need to reduce the number of level access showers which were provided in family houses and upper floor flats.

Within the proposed Policy for Council housing, when determining whether it was right to adapt a property, or propose that the tenant relocated to a property better suited to their needs, the following points were considered on a case by case basis, whether:

·        The applicant occupied a property that was scheduled for modifications, or major refurbishment within the next two years

·        The resident was actively seeking re-housing

·        The adaptation requested was not structurally practicable

·        There were properties within the same community which were already adapted, or could be adapted more cost effectively

·        The property was under-occupied

·        Extensive adaptations were requested (over £10k)

·        Suitable alternative accommodation could be provided within a reasonable timescale, which the housing service deemed to meet the needs of the household, following the recommendations made in the Occupational Therapy assessment

·        The future ability to let the property would be adversely affected

·        The tenant had made an application to purchase the property under the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme

·        The tenancy was less than 12 months old and/or the tenant failed to declare that they, or a member of their family had a pre-existing disability, where it was reasonable to do so i.e. those with an enduring condition

Members welcomed the report and the progress made towards the future delivery of council house adaptations.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed policy be approved regarding the adaptation of family houses and upper floor flats within the Council’s housing stock.