Decision details

The report of the Head of Housing Services seeking the Executive’s approval for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) application in a specific case was presented for consideration.

The Head of Housing Services advised that the DFG is a mandatory council grant that helps meet the cost of adapting a disabled person’s home so that they can continue to live there as independently as possible. The works required would be identified in a Social Service Adaptation Care Plan, prepared by an Occupational Therapist and each DFG is considered on its individual merits.

The Head of Housing Services outlined the circumstances and complex needs of the client whose application was the subject of the report confirming that those needs have been identified and outlined in the Complex Adaptations report. He explained the works required to enable the client and family to remain in their current home and confirmed that other options had been considered but were found to be unfeasible. The tendered costs of the required adaptations is £122,868 which requires a discretionary grant approval for the £86,868 above the mandatory maximum grant of £36,000 and which is also above the £80,000 which the Head of Housing Services in consultation with the Portfolio Member for Housing has authority to approve hence the request for the Executive’s approval.

It was resolved to approve a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) application for the required adaptation works for the total cost of £122,868 which requires a discretionary grant approval for the £86,868 above the mandatory maximum grant of £36,000.