The Housing & Health Advisory Committee met to discuss a new private sector housing grant policy, hear a presentation from the English Rural Housing Association, and receive an update on health projects in the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area. The committee agreed to consider the draft Private Sector Housing Grants Policy and the proposed timetable for consultation and implementation. They also noted reports on health projects in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley, and a needs assessment for Swanley.

Private Sector Housing Grants Policy

The committee considered the draft Private Sector Housing Grants Policy, which aims to assist vulnerable people in the private sector to live independently and safely in their own homes. The policy sets out how the council will provide assistance to homeowners and private rented sector tenants to keep their homes in good repair and free of hazards.

The draft policy proposes the council will offer the following grants:

• Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants
• Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant Excess Costs Top Up
• Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant Related Works Top Up
• Relocation Grant
• Hospital Discharge Grant
• Safe and Secure Grant
• Homestraight Grant
• Empty Homes Grant

The policy recognises the limitations on the council's own capital funds and the need to recycle financial assistance whenever possible.

A consultation process, including questionnaires, meetings and focus groups, will be held with partners, stakeholders and customers between 13 October 2025 and 2 January 2026 to gather views on the draft policy. Councillor Lynda Harrison, Chairman of the Council, and the committee will then review the feedback from the consultation and present a final draft of the Private Sector Housing Grants Policy for implementation.

English Rural Housing Association Presentation

Richard Deville, Development Director from English Rural Housing Association, gave a presentation to the committee about the opportunities and challenges of delivering affordable housing in the Sevenoaks District. English Rural Housing Association is a non-profit organisation that provides affordable housing options for rural communities in England.

Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Health Projects Update

The committee received an update on health projects delivered in partnership with the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley (DGS) Health Care Partnership. The DGS Health Care Partnership funded the council to deliver health initiatives from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The report highlighted the work that the Health & Communities Team delivered alongside partner agencies, focusing on addressing health inequalities in Swanley and the northern parishes.

The aims for the project were to:

• Focus on obesity, diabetes and early screening through face-to-face clinics
• Reduce risks of loneliness and isolation for vulnerable groups
• Increase the need for advice and support in Swanley
• Develop projects in the community to support wider determinants of health

The delivery plan included 14 courses, 5 events and 2 new lunch clubs, in addition to partner projects.

Swanley Needs Assessment

Davinia Springer from Kent County Council Public Health Team discussed the outcomes of the recent Swanley Needs Assessment. The assessment, produced by Kent Public Health Observatory in March 2025, is a comprehensive review of the health and wellbeing issues affecting Swanley, and serves to inform local commissioning and community action.

The assessment provides:

• Reviews health and wellbeing issues in the local area.
• Provides data on 28 health indicators across the life course for the Swanley area.

The information helps to inform commissioning decisions and community action.

Work Plan

The committee noted the work plan with the following items scheduled:

27 November 2025

• Budget 2026/27: Review of Service Dashboards and Service Change Impact Assessments (SCIAs)
• Sevenoaks District Health and Wellbeing Action Plan

3 March 2025¹