Issue - meetings

This Council notes that Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing condition. Tragically, a third of people die within a year of diagnosis and half within two years. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and people’s needs increase, often unpredictably. 

This Council believes that people living with progressive or terminal conditions like MND deserve to live in safe and accessible homes, with as much independence and quality of life as possible. To the extent that the County Council is involved in ensuring this is the case, we commit to doing so. 

This Council notes that early interventions, as well as being good for individuals and their families, can save taxpayer’s money by enabling people to manage their condition more effectively and reducing the need for critical interventions at a later stage.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Adults to review the County Council’s role in the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and report to the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee with:

• How the Council currently delivers its role in the DFG;
• Timeliness over the past three years for the County Council fulfilling its role in the DFG, including assessments and referrals;
• How the Council’s processes could be improved, including the timeliness of assessments and the working relationship with District Councils and other partners;
• Whether the County Council is acting quickly enough to ensure that target timeframes of 55 days for simple adaptations and 130 days for complex adaptations can be met for people living with MND.

Note: The motion, if passed, would constitute the exercise of an executive function in which case it will be referred to the Cabinet together with any advice the Council may wish to give, in accordance with Rule 13.5.1 (i) of the Council Procedure Rules in the Constitution.

The motion was proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Brighouse.  Councillor Evans proposed an amendment set out in Annex 5 to the Schedule of Business.  Council agreed to receive the amendment so that the following amended motion was considered.

“This Council notes that many people in our county suffer from progressive and life-limiting conditions, such as Motor Neurone Disease (MND). As these diseases progress, symptoms worsen and people’s needs increase, often unpredictably. 

This Council believes that people living with progressive conditions deserve to live in safe and accessible homes, with as much independence and quality of life as possible. We commit to doing all we can to ensure this.

This Council notes that early interventions, as well as being good for individuals and their families, can save taxpayer’s money by enabling people to manage their condition more effectively and reducing the need for critical interventions at a later stage.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Cabinet Member for Adults to review the County Council’s role in the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and report to the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee with:

• How the Council currently delivers its role in the DFG;
• Timeliness over the past three years for the County Council fulfilling its role in the DFG, including assessments and referrals;
• How the Council’s processes could be improved, including the timeliness of assessments and the working relationship with District Councils and other partners;
• Whether the County Council is acting quickly enough to ensure that target timeframes of 55 days for simple adaptations and 130 days for complex adaptations can be met for people living with MND and other progressive or terminal conditions.”

Following discussion, an electronic vote was taken. The motion was carried with 56 votes in favour, no abstentions and none against.

The motion was referred to Cabinet.