Name Of Meeting - Progress Housing Group

Disability and Equality Forum
Sumner House
4th December 2013, 2.00pm
Present: Irene Eccles (IE), Pam Milne (PM), Claire Goodworth (CG), Frank McKenna (FM),
Margaret Clarke (MC), Donald Clarke (DC), Freda Tomlinson (FT), John Madden (JM), Paul
Fieldsend (PF), Julie Matthews (JM), Dave Johnson-Walford (DJW) and Laura Johnson-Walford
(LJW)
Apologies: Susan Bryce (SB), David Bryce (DB), Eileen Matthews (EM), Freda Smith (FS) and Eric
Smith (ES)
1.
Item
Introductions
2.
Minutes of last
meeting
3.
Disabled Aids and
Adaptations
funding and
adaptations
completed to date
Discussion held
PM and IE introduced themselves and welcomed
attendees to the meeting.
PM advised in relation to point 2 we encourage tenants
to contact PHG if they need grab rail fitting after being
prescribed by an OT.
The minutes of the meeting were approved as a correct
record.
PM advised the NPHA budget is £135k - £107k has
been spent so far on disabled adaptations. 303
disabled adaptations have been ordered and 261
completed up to now. Out of 24 level access showers
requested so far - only two have been completed by
SRBC and 17 have been completed by NPHA.
IE explained the DFG’s in Fylde are completed by the
local authority Fylde Borough Council.
PM advised a standard waiting time for standard
priority is approximately 2 years. PF asked how much
a standard level access shower room would cost – PM
advised it is approximately £3500 to £5000 depending
on type of flooring/ shower required. A discussion was
had around putting level access showers in sheltered
schemes and why PHG can not just put a walk in
shower in. PM advised it is on a need only basis and
at present upon replacement of bathrooms, they will
only be replaced like for like.
Discussion was had around accountability and where
funding comes from to reduce waiting times for
tenants. PM advised that both SRBC and FBC do not
have enough money to fund disabled adaptations - this
is something that needs to come from government.
FM talked about installing intruder lights - he had
required one at his property but was advised it was not
Action
4.
Policy and leaflet
review
5.
Social Services
O/T Assessment
waiting times
6.
DFG funding and
waiting list
The future - Joint
working
7.
a repair and feels it appropriate that there should be
two lights on each of the bungalows where he lives.
PM advised any future requests for installing lighting
for disabled bungalows should go through her.
PM advised the policy has been reviewed and
amended to bring the varying policies between all
subsidiaries within the group in line with same policy
and procedure. This is awaiting approval from senior
management and then will be implemented – PM
advised it is expected the new policy will be brought to
the next meeting for review.
PM/ IE advised waiting times are increasing for OT
assessments through social services. A lengthy
discussion was had around tenants who have had to
wait months for an OT assessment – PM advised if
they are provided with the details they can chase this
up.
DFG will change to the Integration and transformation
fund in 2015/16.
PM advised at void property stage across both NPHA
and NFH the Allocations/ CBL team will wherever
possible try and match a tenant to an adapted property
on the waiting list if they require this type of
accommodation. DS stated this did not used to be the
case and PM/IE confirmed we now work this way to
save money and to work more efficiently.
PM explained what would happen re an adapted void
property - an OT would assess the person’s needs and
the adaptation, and if appropriate the tenant would be
encouraged to bid for the property/ management
transfer. DS asked if we would still give a three bed
property to a fully mobile family - PM advised we would
advertise as an adapted property and ensure those
requiring that type of accommodation were offered the
property.
PF asked if PM/IE can complete an assessment advised this was not the case. PF asked if we could
carry out a private OT assessment – PM advised it
costs between £250-£300 per assessment and PHG
could not make a decision on a tenants priority when if
we were to arrange an OT assessment. PCHA have
no access to OT’s and the cost of this would have to
come out of the disabled adaptations budget.
PF asked who completes a referral? PM advised it
could be a self referral/family, NPHA/ NFH officers. A
discussion was had around OT referrals and if NPHA/
NFH are involved in the assessment - not involved and
OT6 is received for the individual. PM will look into
JM’s personal issues - FT said contact local MP if poor
8.
New Fylde Award
9.
A.O.B
10. Date and time of
next meeting
or no response.
PM/ IE advised the yearly award is to be presented to a
local service within the NFH communities.
Nominations included Jet2.com, Morrisons, Lifeline
team, Preston Community transport, Arrow Travel and
Booths. The group agreed that Booths should win the
award. PM advised she will arrange for some of the
PM
D&E Forum attendees to visit a Booths store along with
the marketing team to present the store with the award.
NPHA award will be discussed at the next meeting in
March.
PM provided a handout to attendees regarding a
Disability and Equality Forum in Chorley and South
Ribble which tenants are welcome to attend. FT asked
if there was something similar in Fylde – IE advised
IE
she would email the contact and report back if there is
a D & E Forum in Fylde.
Thursday 20th March 2014 at 2.00pm at Warwick
House

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