Issue - meetings

To accept and approve the use of Better Care/Disabled Facilities Grant funding received from Lincolnshire County Council to contribute funding to an extension of the Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance Advice and Casework service (report of the Assistant Director Communities and Housing Services enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Service Director – Communities and Housing Services which sought acceptance and approval of the use of Better Care/Disabled Facilities Grant funding received from Lincolnshire County Council to contribute funding to an extension of the Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance Advice and Casework service.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing introduced the report and sought cabinet approval to accept additional disabled facilities grants funding for 25-26 and to allocate part of that funding to support the continuation of the Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance Advice and Casework Service.

The Good Home Alliance was launched in September 24 as a county-wide partnership involving all the Lincolnshire districts and the County Council. It was funded by contributions from both the county and district councils and the two-year pilot was initially funded to the 30^th June 2026, with the aim to help residents of all ages live safely, warmly and independently in their homes. Through the Good Home Alliance online resources, a new healthy home assessment tool and a dedicated advice and casework service, the Alliance provided clear information, practical support and hands-on help for vulnerable residents who may struggle to navigate undertaking repairs, improvements or accessing funding.

An independent evaluation by the London School of Economics had been funded by the Centre for Ageing Better and was demonstrating that the model was delivering real benefits, reducing hazards, improving wellbeing and offered strong potential value for money as more cases progressed.

In its first year alone, the casework service supported over 200 referrals, completed improvements to 40 homes with a further 28 households having works underway. Half of the 153 cases closed in the first year, received advice and guidance and engaged thousands of residents and professionals across the county.

To date, the service had received more than 470 referrals, with more than 90 of those being for South Holland residents. Referrals had been received from a wide range of partners, with the South Holland Disabled Facilities Grants team and Wellbeing Links being some of the highest utilisers of the service.

It was explained that the service was primarily accessed through referrals, including from residents contacting Wellbeing Links and other partners. Health professionals were aware of the service, and residents were also able to self-refer via the website. The service was promoted through both online and face-to-face engagement, with proactive outreach at local events and fairs, resulting in strong links with third-sector organisations. Overall, the service was well known and easily accessible to both professionals and individual residents.

DECISION:

That Cabinet:

1.    Accepts the additional allocation of £67,398 Disabled Facilities Grant funding for 2025/26 received from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and:

a.    Approves the use of £32,946 to contribute funding to a 21-month extension of the Good Home Alliance advice and casework service from 1 July 2026 to 31 March 2028, funded in total by Lincolnshire District Councils and LCC contributions and hosted by East Lindsey District Council; and

b.    Approves the use of £34,452  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116