Council praised for adaptations to disabled homes

INDEPENDENT assessors have praised the way the borough council deals with requests for help with disability access adaptations.

Auditors said the authority had “..a very robust process..” in place for processes the appeals.

As part of a wider £3 million-plus county pot Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council received a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) allocation of £250,000 for 2016/17.

This money can be used for ramps, handrails or other specialist equipment for residents who need extra help in their homes to live comfortably and independently.

The council’s external auditors, Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) reviewed the service, focusing on how it is managed internally.

The report comes as the borough moves to a county-wide home support delivery service called Lightbulb.

PWC have urged Hinckley and Bosworth officials to proceed, with the efficiency of their individual team firmly in mind.

A final report, provided to the borough’s audit committee, said the system of controls for responding to requests and the subsequent payment mechanism were strong.

It added as the council moved to the streamlined Lightbulb model it was “...important that the council maintains its strong controls.... recognising that there are different processes in other Leicestershire authorities.”

Instances of good practice which ensured transparency and strong budgetary control were highlighted including full checks on cost changes, approval of payments only at top level following receipt of invoices and consistency with accounting.

In one area of criticism in the report, PWC suggested some council involvement may not be needed.

Occasions where council officers visit a client as well as a technical officer and occupation therapist - the experts who determine what action to take - were seen as unnecessary.