Agenda and minutes

Special Meeting, Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday, 31st January, 2022 10.00 am

Venue: Zoom

Items
No.	Item
1.	Apologies Minutes: Councillor Paul Hinge, Lyndon Lloyd, Mark Strong and Lynford Thomas apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
2.	Disclosure of Personal/Prejudicial Interests (including whipping declarations) Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct. In addition, Members must declare any prohibited party whip which the Member has been given in relation to the meeting as per the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011. Minutes: None
3.	Personal matters Minutes: It was agreed to send a letter of well wishes to Councillor Mark Strong.
4.	Amendments to the Private Sector Housing Grants and Loans Financial Policy for Ceredigion PDF 1 MB Minutes: The Cabinet Member, Councillor Dafydd Edwards provided an overview of the report and further detail was then given by the officers. In March 2021 Welsh Government announced that all small and medium sized disabled adaptations would be available for all, that is, for the removal of the Test of Financial Resources. The Private Sector Housing Grants and Loans Financial Policy has been amended to reflect Welsh Government’s recommendation. Due to an increase in materials and labour, the maximum available assistance for both the small disabled adaptations (formally known as the Safe, Warm and Secure grant) and the Emergency Repair Assistance is increased to reflect this. In addition to this, Welsh Government has increased the maximum amounts for the interest free loans administered by the Local Authority, and more detailed information on the interest free loans has been included. In cases of Discretionary Disabled Grant top-ups that were greater than £15k, and special or unique circumstances, they were discussed at a Grants Panel Meeting. This has been amended to the decision being made in accordance with the delegated powers granted to the Corporate Lead Officer (as referenced within the Constitution) in consultation with the relevant Cabinet portfolio Member. The Committee considered the proposed changes. Following discussion, Committee Members agreed to recommend that Cabinet: Approve the proposed changes to the private Sector Housing Grants and Loans Financial Policy for Ceredigion. The Chairman suggested, and Committee Members agreed, that an updated report be presented to Committee once sufficient time has been allowed for the impact following the policy implementation be assessed.
5.	Minutes of the 16 December 2021 Meeting and any matters arising therefrom PDF 130 KB Minutes: The Committee resolved to confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 16^th December as a correct record. Matters arising None.