County Council to consider consulting on two services

Proposals to consult on future options for two services delivered by Derbyshire County Council are set to be considered by the council’s Cabinet.

On 25th July, Cabinet will be asked to consider asking for people’s views on:

• Future options for design services for people in receipt of Disabled Facilities Grants
• Refocusing the scope of the Derbyshire Healthy Homes Project.

Members of the Cabinet will discuss reports outlining the financial challenges facing the authority, including rising demand, higher than expected inflation and a rise in the cost of energy and materials.

This means the council is having to look at all areas of spending, particularly services it doesn’t legally have to deliver – known as discretionary spending – so it can continue to support those who need support most.

Part of the work the county council’s disability design team undertakes supports the delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) scheme, which is administered by the county’s district and borough councils. However, the architectural, design and procurement work undertaken by the team is not currently fully charged for.

Given the budgetary pressures faced by the council, the authority is looking at its discretionary spending and is proposing to consult on three future options for the design team service:

• Retain the in-house disability design team but seek full funding from the DFG funding held by districts and boroughs for all the discretionary services and support it provides.
• Retain the in-house design service to support projects the county council is legally obliged to carry out, ceasing to do any discretionary work.
• Cease to operate the design team, with outside providers commissioned to do the work on statutory projects.

Cabinet members are also due to consider a report proposing to consult on the future scope of the Derbyshire Healthy Homes Project which supports people with long-term health conditions made worse by the cold to stay well and warm at home.

The project predominantly supports people with eligible care needs to identify heating solutions via nationally available grants.

However, councillors will hear that over time the project has moved beyond its original remit and now provides additional assistance and supports many people who do not have eligible care needs.

Cabinet will be asked to agree to consult on three options for the future of the project:

• To remodel the service to ensure only those with adult social care needs and low incomes can access help which Derbyshire County Council would continue to manage. 
• To work with the district and borough councils which have a responsibility to help vulnerable people with their homes or a third party to introduce a new service that they will manage.  
• To decommission the service.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Natalie Hoy said: “Demand for social services is increasing and with the budgetary pressures we’re facing, we’re having to look at how best we can continue to support those who need us most.

“Where in the past we’ve been able to find funding for work and projects outside our statutory duties, we’re now having to look at doing things differently and considering all areas of spending.”

Councillor Hoy added: “We’ve always prided ourselves on being well managed but like all other councils across the country we’re facing increasing financial pressures that are outside our control.

“I’d like to reassure everyone that these are proposals only and, if Cabinet agrees to consult, no decisions would be made until everyone’s views were taken into account.”

The full reports can be seen on the council’s website.