Nottinghamshire County Council has written to the Government asking them to provide more flexibility to support residents with disabilities who need funding to adapt their homes. The Government distributes the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to Nottinghamshire County Council, who in turn passes this onto the district and borough councils, using a set formula. The funding is used to help residents to adapt their homes to meet their needs as a result of a disability or illness, and in many cases is vital to help residents remain safely in their own homes.

Councillor Jonathan Wheeler, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, wants to see the funding formula changed. He said: “The current formula is not demand-led, and as a result, we have some areas where district or borough councils have a surplus of funding, and others where they have a funding deficit and residents on a waiting list. The current means test as a condition of funding can also disproportionately affect adult residents who are in receipt of benefits, and we therefore want to see this reviewed.

“My Deputy Cabinet Member Councillor Tom Smith and I have asked the Deputy Prime Minister and her department to urgently review this, so we can ensure the funding is used in the most effective way to support our residents across the whole county, enabling them to live as safely and independently as they can, and deliver value for money for the taxpayer at the same time.

“This is very much in line with our ambition for Adult Social Care - to see every person in Nottinghamshire live safely and independently, in the place they call home with the people and things that matter to them, in their local communities.”