Decision details

To publish a discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant policy, introduced countywide on a pilot scheme basis.

This policy will assist disabled facility grant applicants who require adaptations that will be above the mandatory grant limit of £30,000 to a maximum discretionary grant of £20,000 and/ or applicants who are unable to meet the assessed contribution following a means test, where there assessed contribution is £10,000 or below.

The Council’s existing Disabled Facilities Grant policy remains unchanged and in conjunction with the other Gloucestershire district authorities, this newly introduced discretionary grant policy is to be reviewed on a quarterly basis and fully reviewed in March 2023.

Disabled Facilities Grants, including discretionary grants, are funded through the Better Care Fund held by the County Council and administered by the local district authorities. The Government’s allocation and terms of the grant provide flexibility and enables allocations to Social Care and Housing to fund a wide range of services.

Introduction of these discretionary grants will assist applicants who may otherwise not access the grant system and the benefits of improved health and well-being that this brings. This extension to the discretionary disabled facilities grants policy should have a positive impact and reduce the strain on social care provision within the county.

Use of discretionary grants will help maximise the Disabled Facilities Grant funding allocation provided by Central Government and bring Cheltenham Borough Council in line with the other district councils within Gloucestershire, national good practice and the aims of the Better Care Fund.

To meet the Council’s statutory obligations under the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act (as amended) the Council is required to have a published document in place setting out Council policy on the aims and application of the local grant scheme.

There will be no financial impact on the Council in relation to the introduction of these discretionary grant schemes.

Not Applicable

Consultation took place through the DFG forum, which includes all 6 districts within Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Strategic Housing Partnership.

Agreement was reached that a County wide pilot of the new discretionary schemes would be introduced and be reviewed on a quarterly bases and a full review of the schemes to be carried out in March 2023.

There will be no financial impact on the Council in relation to the introduction of these discretionary grant schemes.

Consultation took place through the DFG forum, which includes all 6 districts within Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Strategic Housing Partnership.