Content

A request has been received for the Council to
waive the repayment on a DFG Repayment under the HOUSING RENEWAL
ASSISTANCE POLICY 2021 for 3 Kingmoor Terrace, Carlisle, CA3 9QH.
The Housing Renewal Assistance policy document lays out the reasons
for using discretion to waive the payment.
 
Taking into account all the available
information, a decision has been taken to agree to
waive the repayment of £2467.00.
 

Reasons for the decision

The decision has been made to waive the
requirement to repay the DFG on grounds that the individual would
suffer financial hardship if the grant were reclaimed.
Additionally, it is likely that the move is required to enable the
individual to live near a person who will provide care for the
recipient by reason of their disability.
 

Alternative options considered

1) Require the family to make a repayment to
the Council upon the sale of the property and not use the
discretion to waive the repayment laid out within the policy
framework.
 
2) Require repayments to be made through
debtors over a period of up to 5 years. This would include
additional administration costs and interest charges during the
repayment period.
 
Risks
 
A reclaimed land charge that results in
financial hardship for a resident would present a risk to the
Council’s reputation and could be challenged as it is
contrary to agreed policy.
 
If the resident is unable to repay the land
charge and therefore unable to move there is a risk that their care
needs would need to be met by the Council representing a cost to
the Council.
 
A decision to waive the land charge increases
the risk from financial pressures to the DFG budget by a small
amount.