To approve Watford Borough Council joining a county wide Home Improvement Agency Service for Hertfordshire to help vulnerable persons to live more independently and safely at home.  Initially the focus will be on the discharge of the statutory duty placed on the Council in relation to mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs).

A report was received from the Head of Community and Customer Services.   The proposal was to establish a county-wide home improvement agency service to help elderly and vulnerable persons to live more independently.  A business case had been developed in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and a number of District/Borough councils, including Watford Borough Council.

Councillor Johnson introduced the report and explained that there had been issues over the last few years with the service as there was only one surveyor.  Having a service with other authorities would make it more resilient and a better service for vulnerable residents.  The service would be monitored and after the first year it would be reviewed to look at the possibility of extending and commercialisation. 

The Head of Community and Customer Services explained that having occupational therapy staff in the same office as surveyors would be crucial to the service.  He explained there would be five Hertfordshire district councils working together with the county council, which would make it more resilient and improve the customer experience.

In response to a question from Councillor Bell the Mayor explained that there may be the ability to offer services to those who would be outside of the grant eligibility for a small charge as part of the commercialisation initiative.

Councillor Johnson concluded that the current service had provided a number of improvements to residents’ homes with level access showers and stair lifts in order to make a difference to their lives.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.         subject to satisfactory outcomes to 2 and 3 below, approves the proposal that Watford Borough Council becomes a partner in the Hertfordshire Home Improvement Agency service.

2.         delegates to the Head of Community and Customer Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Property, to contribute to, and agree, the detailed arrangements to establish the service, including any changes required to the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy.

3.         delegates to the Head of Community and Customer Services, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Customer Service, to contribute to and agree the detailed financial arrangements to establish and operate the service.