Issue - meetings

            The following public question had been received in relation to Item 6 (e) Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Review:

I’m contacting you on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. We are the national charity focusing on funding research, improving access to care and campaigning for people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We have read item 6e on tomorrow’s agenda - the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) review - with interest. During 2022 and 2023 we have been in regular correspondence with Halton Council on this issue, with your colleague Helen Moir having been our main contact. I have copied her into this message.

We note that the recommendation to the Board in the accompanying paper for 6e is to form a steering group to “further review policy and processes in the light of the published DFG guidance”

In response, as a charity supporting people with and affected by MND in the Borough, we would like to table a question under item 3 of the agenda asking:

What provision would be made to meet and engage with external stakeholders such as the MND Association in this planned review of DFG policy and process?

Response:

We are currently working with Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) to develop a co-production framework and charter whereby everyone works together on an equal basis to influence the way services are designed, commissioned and delivered.

On this basis it is anticipated that this value based approach will influence the review and that representation from key stakeholders will be part of the process with everyone having a vital equal contribution in order to improve the quality of life for people and communities.

We would therefore welcome input not only from the Motor Neurone Disease Society but from other people and charities that will be affected by decisions made as a result of the review.