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(Report of Cabinet Member for Finance and
Housing and Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental
Health)
 
Consideration was given to the provision of a
Hoarding Co-ordinator service for residents of Tonbridge and
Malling and associated clearance and clean-up works.  This to be funded via the disabled facilities
grant element of the Better Care Fund (BCF). 
 
The proposal was for the Home Improvement
Agency to deliver the Hoarding Co-ordinator role which they already
undertook across Kent as part of their hospital discharge
service.
 
As defined by the Kent and Medway Multi-Agency
Policy and Procedures to Support People that Self Neglect or
Demonstrate Hoarding Behaviour (attached as Annex 1) hoarding was
the excessive collection and retention of any material to the point
that living space was sufficiently cluttered to preclude activities
for what they were designed for. 
Hoarding was a recognised mental health diagnosis.
 
Due regard was given to the financial and
value for money considerations set out in the report and it was
noted that the BCF continued to be underspent in recent
years.  The diversion of funding to
support further revenue initiatives would provide essential support
in respect of hoarding in the community. Members recognised the
importance of addressing hoarding issues within properties as it
enabled households to remain in their home safely.  There was also a wider positive impact for
neighbouring properties.
 
Following consideration by the Housing and
Planning Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Finance
and Housing resolved that:
 

(1)            
a part-time (0.5FTE) Hoarding Co-ordinator role employed by the
Home Improvement Agency be funded via the Disabled Facilities Grant
(DFG) element of the Better Care Fund;
 

(2)            
the estimated cost of £30,000 per annum for this role be
noted;
 

(3)            
a £15,000 per annum budget for clearance and clean-up works
be provided and funded from the Better Care Fund;
 

(4)            
authority to enter into the contract
with the Home Improvement Agency be delegated to the Director of
Planning, Housing and Environmental Health.