Local residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are set to benefit from a new policy which sets out how BCP Council will support people to live independently in their own home with the help of Disabled Facilities Grants.

Councillors at Cabinet (1 September 2021) will be asked to consider and approve the new policy which will consolidate previous policies held by the legacy councils.

The new policy takes into account current legislation and national guidance with a significant change that allows the council to implement discretionary funding to help residents who require works that cost over £30,000 who are unable to meet the assessed contribution following means testing or require assistance which does not meet the mandatory criteria but is considered by the council to benefit a resident’s health and wellbeing.

Councillor Robert Lawton, Portfolio Holder for Homes, said: “Disabled Facilities Grants are essential in helping local people to receive adaptations which can assist them to remain independent in their own homes, helps to reduce accidents and assist with hospital discharges back home. Vitally, they can reduce the need for care services and in some cases prevents the need to move someone into residential care.

“If approved, a significant change to the policy will enable us to exercise our discretionary powers to support more people and help them to fund adaptations which cost more than £30,000. This will have such a positive impact on local people who need the help, who may previously have not been able to afford to proceed with their adaptations.”

If approved the new policy would be in place for January 2022.

The policy sets out the intention to use the council’s wholly owned company Seascape South Limited to complete any works as part of a comprehensive in-house service.