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Agenda item

Urgent Items

To consider any other items of business that the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

The Chairman stated that Overview and Scrutiny has received a request from the Leader of the Council for a rapid scrutiny exercise regarding the Furlong Close facility in Rowde, the closure of which has been announced by its owner, Home Farm Trust (HFT).

 

Cllr Berry provided an overview to the Committee that Furlong Close provides day and residential support for adults with learning disabilities. The Leader’s request for a rapid scrutiny was noted at a meeting of Full Council on 23rd February, as was a petition with over 42,000 signatures titled “Stop the Closure of HFT in Rowde.” A request was made in February for Full Council to debate this petition. However, at the time, an application was in process to judicially review HFT’s decision to close Furlong Close. The Council was identified as an interested party in these proceedings (not a defendant) and it had not been appropriate for Full Council to debate the petition. Following the Court’s refusal of permission to apply for judicial review, the Council made the lead petitioner aware that it could debate the petition, but the petitioner asked the council not to do so at this time.

 

The matter of Furlong Close was the subject of briefing notes to councillors dated 10 and 19 February 2021 and the committee may be aware of some media coverage of the situation.

 

The Chairman invited comments and questions which included the importance of Overview and Scrutiny seeking legal advice in order to not to conflict with any ongoing legal process involving the council as an interested party.

 

An explanation of the current legal situation was provided, noting the importance of appropriate confidentiality being maintained throughout the review. Additionally, the contractual arrangements in place were clarified, with an overarching GLA contract, plus spot purchase contracts also purchased for each individual.

 

It was clarified that part 1 of the process would be a rapid scrutiny exercise, followed by part 2 which would be a task group, reviewing the work conducted by the exercise in part 1 and potentially reviewing the wider Wiltshire market for residential and supported living. A concern regarding the officer resources required for this latter piece of work was discussed.

 

It was clarified that task review groups and scrutiny exercises can co-opt members on to their memberships. The following members of the Health Select Committee expressed an interest in being involved in the rapid scrutiny exercise; Cllr Chuck Berry, Cllr Gordon King and Cllr Pip Ridout, as well as the stakeholders, Irene Kohler and Diane Gooch.

 

In conclusion, it was;

 

Agreed to establish a rapid scrutiny exercise, having taken appropriate legal advice on process, to review and make constructive recommendations regarding:

 

  1. The actions taken by the council in regard to the Furlong Close facility, which the owner, Home Farm Trust, has announced its intention to close, covering:

a)      The timetable of events;

b)      Contract arrangements;

c)      Lessons learned and;

d)      A way forward.

 

  1. The remit of a potential task group under the next council reviewing

a)    The outcomes and latest position following the exercise outlined under 1 above; and

b)    The application of any lessons learned relevant to the wider Wiltshire market for residential and supported living to ensure that it best meets the needs of adults with learning disabilities.