Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership

1. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Working in partnership to deliver a successful Disabled Facilities Grant service Christian Trevelyan Partnership Manager Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership

2. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Who is the Partnership • The Somerset West Partnership was formed in October 2007 • The original partners were Sedgemoor District Council and West Somerset Council • Taunton Deane Borough Council joined in March 2010 • Bound by Partnership Agreement • There are approximately 101,000 non social houses in the Partnership area and over 22,000 social houses • Twenty two staff in the Partnership based in three Area offices

3. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Work of the Partnership • The Partnership provide the following services; • Disabled Facilities Grants in both Council and Non Council properties • Recycling of specialist equipment • Repairs assistance through low interest loans with Wessex Home Improvement Loans and advice • Energy efficiency grants and advice • Voluntary Landlord Accreditation Scheme • Empty Homes • Housing Standards • IMS (Intelligent Mapping Service)

4. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Budget for DFG’s • The budgets are: • Sedgemoor • £620,000 for DFG’s • £478,000 for the Council properties • £50,000 for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only) • Taunton Deane • £450,000 for DFG’s • £315,000 for the Council properties • £200,000 for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only) • West Somerset • £240,000 for DFG’s

5. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Timescales for DFG’s • Timescales • Sedgemoor • 21 weeks for DFG’s • 18 weeks for the Council properties • 4 days for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only) • Taunton Deane • 21 weeks for DFG’s • 18 weeks for the Council properties • 4 days for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only) • West Somerset • 21 weeks for DFG’s

6. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Numbers • In 2012 -2013 the Partnership processed ; • Sedgemoor; • 86 DFG’s • 102 LADFG’s • 122 Minor Works • Taunton Deane • 48 DFG’s • 41 LADFG’s • 211 Minor Works • West Somerset Council • 31 DFG’s

7. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Types of adaptations • The most common adaptations across the three districts in order of highest first are; • Wet floor showers • Straight stair lifts • Curved stair lifts • Ramps • Door widening • Extensions

8. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG Process Map • Private Sector Housing DFG Process diagram

9. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice • Initial Enquiry Stage • Housing Options considered by the Occupational Therapist [DFG IS THE LAST RESORT] • Recommendation recorded by the OT Coordinator • Recommendation sent by secure email to the Partnership Coordinator and recorded on the DFG Register

10. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice • Preliminary Means Test undertaken at this stage if OT identifies that Applicant is not on a Means Tested Benefit • Letter sent to Applicant informing them that LA has received the Recommendation and the length of time for the adaptation to be completed

11. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice

12. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice • The Applicant is allocated in accordance with the DFG Protocol • DFG Applicant allocated to Aster Living and assigned to Technical Officer in the Partnership • Council tenant allocated directly to a Technical Officer

13. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice • EXTRACT OF THE DFG PROTOCOL

14. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice – Non Council housing • Aster assist the Applicant with their application • Application submitted to the partnership • Technical Officer approves the valid application • Approval issued to Aster Living by secure email

15. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership DFG’sin Practice - Council housing • Technical Officer arranges preliminary visit • Undertakes property survey • Completes application forms with tenant • Draws up schedule of works and uses Fixed Price Quote menu • Extensions prepared by an outside Architect • Permission sought from Estates Management • Application submitted to the Area Manager for approval • Grant approved and sent by post to the Applicant

16. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Payment stage • Payment Stage • Invoice and completion paperwork received from Aster Living/contractor • Payment made within ten working days • Certified Date letter sent to Applicant via Aster Living/Applicant • Grant closed • Customer Satisfaction forms through random sample six months after completion of grant • Process monitored through Exceptions reporting to DFG Managers Group • All DFG’s mapped on IMS

17. Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership Balancing partner priorities • Housing Strategies • Joint Private Sector Renewal Policy • Agree partner priorities • Budget setting/alignment • Partnership Manager appraisal process • Staff appraisal process - Staff secondment/joint posts • Joint IT equipment and software • Hot desking • Increased mobility