Decision details

The report seeks to inform the Housing Portfolio Holder on the need to upgrade the current emergency alarm systems and the changes to the funding of the hardwired alarm systems in the designated sheltered housing schemes .Decisions on both aspects of the report are required.

This is a key decision as it;

a.    Incurs significant expenditure to support the existing alarm charging mechanism and to bring the failing alarm systems up to date.

b.    It will impact on all the Councils 43 sheltered housing schemes, 14 tenants remaining on the group alarm schemes and all residents of the sheltered properties, including leaseholders.

The Housing Portfolio Holder APPROVED:

1)    Option A – To change the alarm systems to the Lifeline system.

2)    Option E – To advise residents that from 1 April 2016 all will be liable to pay £3 per week for the alarm service whether they are on benefits or not.

3)    Option F – Give residents the option of not having an alarm and therefore not having to pay for a system unless they opt for a Lifeline system.

4)    Option G – Where the resident has no telephone line for the Council to bear the cost of installing the line and either adding a weekly charge to the alarm charge or passing responsibility to the tenant if they wish to use the line for any other reason than an alarm system.

5)    Option I – Charge sheltered residents £3 per week to encourage take up and ensure the scheme remains a designated sheltered housing scheme.