Decision Maker: Housing Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: October 23, 2025

Purpose: Approval of a published document which outlines the policies and procedures for the allocation of Equipment and Adaptation to enable the council to meet its statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Content: 8.1 The Committee considered a report of the Director of Housing which summarised the new Equipment and Adaptations Policy.     8.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee approves the Equipment and Adaptations Policy, in the form set out at Appendix A attached to the report.         8.3 Reasons for Decision     8.3.1 The Council have a statutory duty to provide adaptations to support tenants with disabilities. The Policy will enable the Council to offer support transparently, while prioritising the efficacy of the HRA budget and supporting tenants.         8.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     8.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do nothing. There is a risk of indirect and direct discrimination from a lack of uniform and informal approaches. There is a risk that the HRA Capital programme budget allocated to this workstream will not be sufficient as demand grows across SCC tenancies and that rehousing is not utilised sufficiently as an approach instead of expensive and time-consuming adaptations, such as extensions     8.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Adopt a uniform policy across social and private housing. Given the different funding models between private sector and social housing sectors, a single policy which covers both private and social housing may confuse tenants. Specifically, there is a concern that social tenants would think their support is means-tested, as with the DFG, and therefore, believe that they are being put at a disadvantage, or would be receiving less funding than they need. Moreover, the DFG is not the only source of funding for the private sector, and therefore, the eligibility requirements change depending on the source of funding. The aim is to be as clear as possible for our tenants.