Find out how we decide to help our communities based on needs.
There is a clear need in Torbay to help our community. The following information provides a summary of key determinates that have influenced this policy:
Torbay is mainly urban and has an ageing housing stock with 75% of this stock recorded as below an energy standard band C. There is a high percentage of privately rented sector accommodation (26%) which is higher than the national average at 19% and the most common category one hazard identified through the Housing, Health, and Safety Rating Scheme (HHSRS) is excess cold.
The hilly nature of Torbay creates a range of accessibility issues for older and disabled adults and children. Despite the high proportion of bungalows in the area it does not always provide a suitably accessible home.
Torbay is ranked as one of the most deprived local authorities in the South-West. The help provided in the policy will help mitigate this by providing a greater level of financial assistance to address the higher cost of materials and work for disabled facilities grants and contributions for households on low incomes.
There is an ageing population with 27% of Torbay’s population aged 65 or over, and the over 85 expected to increase by over 50% within the next decade. As the population ages it is also expected that Torbay will see more people become frail and require support from health and social care services. A key theme for health and social care is to enable and sustain independence in the home and prevent, reduce, and delay the need for higher-cost social care and health interventions. Assistance outlined in the policy will support this agenda and help to address the variations in health and well-being that are found across Torbay.