Residents are being invited to have their say on the proposed closure of the handyperson service, which helps disabled people and older people with small repairs and minor adaptations.

Due to increased demand and rising costs, Cornwall Council is looking at how many of its services can be provided in different ways to help balance the budget for the coming year.

"As part of our review of our Home Solutions Service we are proposing to close the handyperson service, where customers currently pay a nominal fee for small repairs and adaptations," Cornwall Council stated. 

"This discretionary service is much valued, but costly to provide. Although there is a charge for the service, the income from those charges does not cover the costs – with Cornwall Council making a loss of approximately £170,000 per year to provide the service.

The council is currently reviewing the Home Solutions Service to ensure it aligns more closely with similar services in Adult Social Care that are targeted at older and disabled people who need support to enable them to stay in their own homes for longer.

Cornwall Council's Proposal

The council said that the proposal is to discontinue the current handyperson service from April 1, 2025. 

Ending the handyperson service would mean that people over 60 and disabled people who need support with household maintenance and minor repairs would no longer be able to access this service and would need to seek support differently. This includes: 

  • Private sector handyperson services
  • Voluntary sector organisations such as Age UK
  •  Cornwall Council’s Adult Social Care Technical Officers continue to provide certain services free of charge, including the installation of handrails, grab rails, and other minor adaptations.

However, no decisions have been taken at this point and the council said it remains open to exploring alternative, more cost-effective options for helping older and disabled people who need support with household maintenance and minor repairs.

Cornwall Council cabinet lead for housing, Cllr Olly Monk said: “This is a discretionary service, which, although customers are charged a fee, is generating a loss of £170k a year.

“We’re working hard to protect frontline services wherever we can by seeing how we can deliver them in different and more cost-effective ways.

“We think it makes sense to signpost people to alternative solutions, such as our adult social care services who provide assistance with the installation of handrails, grab rails and other minor adaptations free of charge, where people are eligible.

"Some voluntary organisations also provide similar help, as well as other independent handyperson businesses.”

How and where can residents have their say? 

The consultation is now open, and people are invited to visit the online survey and give their views. You can view the consultation here: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/handyperson. 

Cllr Monk added: “We want to hear from everyone this affects now and may affect in the future, and we are open to hearing alternative ideas, as well as how the closure of the service might impact you.”

People can also request a paper copy of the survey by calling 0300 123 1118.

The consultation will close on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Any proposed changes are likely to take place in April 2025.