Content

RESOLVED:
Cabinet;

a)                
Approved the Housing Adaptations Policy

b)                
Grant delegated authority to the Head of Private Sector
Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to
make minor amendments to the Housing Adaptations Policy as required
by service demands, national and local policy, and funding
arrangements.
 
REASONS
RESOLVED:
The development of
the Housing Adaptations Policy responds to several strategic and
operational issues affecting the delivery of adaptations across
West Northamptonshire. This modernised and innovative Housing
Adaptations Policy ensures compliance and sets a new standard for
how West Northamptonshire Council supports its residents. It is
designed to ensure that every individual regardless of their
circumstances or location can access a fair, consistent, and
responsive service when they need adaptations to remain safe,
independent, and supported at home.
The policy not
only enhances equity but also maximises the use of available grant
funding, directing a greater proportion of resources toward the
actual cost of works. This reduces financial pressure on residents,
helps prevent financial hardship, and enables more people in
priority need to receive timely and effective
adaptations.
Importantly, the
policy confronts longstanding gaps where some residents have
historically faced restrictions in accessing the service from
previous criteria and financial assessments, and restrictions in
the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. It
introduces a more robust, transparent, and inclusive framework,
embracing the flexibility presented by the Regulatory Reform Order,
ensuring that groups such as armed forces personnel, who often face
unique and complex housing challenges, or those requiring
significant and high-cost adaptations are no longer overlooked or
disadvantaged.
 
ALTERNATIVE
OPTIONS:
 
Increasing Demand and
Changing Needs
Demand for
adaptations has grown significantly due to an ageing population,
increasing complexity of needs, and greater expectations around
independence and safe, suitable housing.
Choice: Maintain the current
model, which is increasingly difficult to sustain, or adopt a
modernised policy framework that enables a more responsive, needs
led service.
 
Rising Costs and
Affordability Barriers
Escalating
material, labour, and associated service costs have led to higher
customer contributions, often preventing essential works from
progressing. Choice:
Retain the existing funding arrangements, risking inequitable
access, or introduce new discretionary support (e.g., Service Fees
Grant) to reduce or remove financial hardship.
 
 
 
Residents Falling Through
Existing Eligibility Gaps
The five-year
review identified that some residents, including veterans and those
with exceptional circumstances, could not access support due to
restrictive grant frameworks.
Choice: Continue applying the
current statutory criteria alone, or adopt a broader, more
inclusive approach through new discretionary grants.
 
Need for
Tenure-Neutrality
The LGSCO has
emphasised the requirement for consistent service delivery across
all tenures.
Choice: Retain existing
differences between tenures, or implement a fully tenure-neutral
model to ensure fairness and consistency for all
residents.
 
Sustainability and Future
Pressures
Without change,
the service risks becoming financially and operationally
unsustainable as demand increases.
Choice: Continue with the existing
policy framework or modernise the service to ensure long-term
resilience, better outcomes and improved
cost-effectiveness.