Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 11 November 2014.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on the 11 November 2014, were presented.

Resolved

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2014.

There were no announcements.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public , who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions can also be asked by members of the Council. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Will Oulton of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday 14 May 2015. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

There were no questions.

  Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director.

Councillor Jonathan Seed, Cabinet Member for Housing Leisure, Libraries and Flooding, presented the report which recommended that Cabinet agree to provide funding to support the remodelling of a sheltered scheme in Westbury for the provision of accessible, fit for purpose accommodation for older people in the community and to ensure the building can accommodate the provision of an extra care service that could offer an alternative to residential care.

Issues discussed included: How extra-care housing provided a viable alternative to residential care; the additional services available to the wider community through the scheme; that the Area Board had been made aware of the scheme; that the scheme was in a remodelled building which had placed some constraints on the design; that there is some accommodation available for guests; and that the Council will retain all the allocation rights for the scheme.

Resolved

To delegate authority to the Associate Director for Adult Care Commissioning and Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing (excluding strategic housing), Libraries, Leisure and Flooding to authorise the commitment of grant funding of £625,000 to support the delivery of the project and to sign a funding agreement on behalf of the Council.

Reason for Decision:

The Westbury scheme will provide good quality, fit for purpose, accessible accommodation for older people with an assessed care need, thus ensuring that they are able to live independently for as long as possible.  The scheme will offer an alternative to residential care and will be able to deliver the extra care services outlined in the Older People’s Accommodation Development Strategy. 

Through the development of the site, the Council would benefit from the provision of remodelled housing to meet the needs of the growing older Population in Westbury.  Additionally, this development would improve choice and control for older people with an assessed care need and provide a vital community resource, through the refurbished communal areas.  Work is being undertaken to determine how these communal areas can be used to offer services to residents and local people in the future.

This development will protect some of the most vulnerable older people by reducing the likelihood of falls and hospital admissions whilst ensuring independence is maintained and also meets a number of the outcomes in the Business Plan.

There were no urgent items.