URL: https://mansfield.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1026

Decision Maker: Assistant Director - Housing

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Reason for Decision: The Council has a statutory duty to provide mandatory disabled facilities grants (DFG’s) and discretionary powers to offer other forms of financial assistance as detailed in the Council’s Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy. Government funding is allocated annually for this purpose via the Better Care Fund. The Council has been allocated £1,554,962 for the provision of capital works for DFG’s and discretionary financial assistance during 2024/25 Local authorities have the ability to make a charge for some of the work involved in processing DFG’s and financial assistance under the The Housing Renewal Grants (Services and Charges) Order 1996 SI2889. The order outlines the services and charges for which the applicant is liable and which can be charged for by the Council. This decision notice relates to charges for the following tasks carried out by Technical Surveyors, the Grants Caseworker (Financial Assistance), administrative support as well as temporary agency staff delivering additional discretionary grant schemes: (a)confirmation, if sought by the local authority, that the applicant has an owner’s interest, (b)technical and structural surveys, (c)design and preparation of plans and drawings, (d)preparation of schedules of relevant works, (e)assistance in completing forms, (f)advice on financing the costs of the relevant works which are not met by grant; (g)obtaining of estimates, (h)advice on contracts, (i)consideration of tenders, (j)supervision of the relevant works, (k)disconnection and reconnection of electricity, gas, water or drainage utilities where this is necessitated by the relevant works, and (l)payment of contractors. The Council can top-slice charges for the above activities from the annual allocation as opposed to applying a percentage fee to each individual grant. Finance have confirmed the establishment costs for staff that are involved with the delivery of DFG’s and other financial assistance and can be taken from the Better Care Fund are £137,525. The Council has a statutory duty to provide mandatory disabled facilities grants (DFG’s) and discretionary powers to offer other forms of financial assistance as detailed in the Council’s Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy.

Content: That the sum of £137,525 be allocated from the funding for Disabled Facilities Grants to defray the Council’s costs in administering and supporting applications under the scheme.    Reason for Decision: The Council has a statutory duty to provide mandatory disabled facilities grants (DFG’s) and discretionary powers to offer other forms of financial assistance as detailed in the Council’s Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy. Government funding is allocated annually for this purpose via the Better Care Fund. The Council has been allocated £1,554,962 for the provision of capital works for DFG’s and discretionary financial assistance during 2024/25 Local authorities have the ability to make a charge for some of the work involved in processing DFG’s and financial assistance under the The Housing Renewal Grants (Services and Charges) Order 1996 SI2889. The order outlines the services and charges for which the applicant is liable and which can be charged for by the Council. This decision notice relates to charges for the following tasks carried out by Technical Surveyors, the Grants Caseworker (Financial Assistance), administrative support as well as temporary agency staff delivering additional discretionary grant schemes: (a)confirmation, if sought by the local authority, that the applicant has an owner’s interest, (b)technical and structural surveys, (c)design and preparation of plans and drawings, (d)preparation of schedules of relevant works, (e)assistance in completing forms, (f)advice on financing the costs of the relevant works which are not met by grant; (g)obtaining of estimates, (h)advice on contracts, (i)consideration of tenders, (j)supervision of the relevant works, (k)disconnection and reconnection of electricity, gas, water or drainage utilities where this is necessitated by the relevant works, and (l)payment of contractors. The Council can top-slice charges for the above activities from the annual allocation as opposed to applying a percentage fee to each individual grant. Finance have confirmed the establishment costs for staff that are involved with the delivery of DFG’s and other financial assistance and can be taken from the Better Care Fund are £137,525. The Council has a statutory duty to provide mandatory disabled facilities grants (DFG’s) and discretionary powers to offer other forms of financial assistance as detailed in the Council’s Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy.   Not to top slice to cover costs of establishment staff involved with the delivery of disabled adaptations however this will mean staff will be funded from General Fund when there is the legislative direction to cover costs through using the BCF  

Date of Decision: January 8, 2025