Overview

This bill grants residents of sheltered housing in England and Wales the right to challenge local authority budget decisions that negatively affect their services. It aims to protect funding specifically allocated for warden services and establishes an appeals process involving adjudication panels.

Description

The Sheltered Accommodation (Residents) Bill provides residents with the right to challenge local authority budget decisions impacting their services. These decisions include service reductions, forced relocation, or closure of the sheltered housing. The challenge process includes making representations to the local authority, receiving a written response, and appealing to an independent adjudication panel if the response is unsatisfactory. These panels, appointed by regulations, will be comprised of three members with specified qualifications. The panels will have powers to request information, require reconsideration of decisions, and mandate specific actions to remedy the situation. The grounds for appeal include the local authority's failure to make reasonable budget decisions concerning resident well-being. Furthermore, the bill mandates that central government grants for warden services in sheltered accommodation must be used solely for that purpose and includes specific conditions to ensure this.

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government spending on the establishment and operation of adjudication panels, as well as any additional costs associated with the implementation and enforcement of the new regulations. Exact figures are not provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

• Residents of sheltered housing in England and Wales: They gain the right to challenge local authority budget decisions affecting their services and well-being.
• Local authorities: They face new obligations to respond to resident challenges, potentially impacting their budget planning and allocation processes.
• Adjudication panel members: New employment opportunities are created.
• Central government: Increased financial responsibilities for establishing and overseeing the adjudication process and enforcing conditions on grant funding.

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