Issue - meetings

 Report of the Corporate Director, Community Services is circulated.

Cllr John Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Communities and Libraries presented a report which sought in principle Cabinet approval of an Older People Accommodation Development Strategy, details of which were also presented.

The Strategy provided indicative proposals that would enable the Council to deliver a single integrated older people’s accommodation system in Wiltshire working in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The overarching Strategy which if approved would be in place for the next ten years would enable the development of some 715 units of new, mixed tenure extra care housing to meet identified needs in 16 communities. It proposed a review of existing sheltered housing stock throughout the County to ensure it was meeting current and future needs. It also proposed measures to ensure that private sector initiatives contributed to achieving the Council’s desired outcomes for older people in the County.

An indication was given of the facilities to be provided in each of the community areas as a result of the Strategy, details of which would be presented to the respective Area Board.

Cllr Mike Hewitt presented the report of the Rapid Scrutiny Task Group held on 19 January 2011 into the Strategy which included a number of recommendations. The Task Group had acknowledged the need for significant investment in older people’s accommodation in Wiltshire and the financial savings and improvements to people’s lives that could be achieved through this programme of work. It also acknowledged the scale and complexity of the project and the work already done by officers and the Cabinet member and Portfolio Holder. A revised Communications Strategy was presented in response to recommendations made by the Task Group. Cllr Thomson explained that the recommendations made had either already been acted upon or would be.

During debate a number of Councillors whilst supportive of the general principle, expressed concern over how facilities could be configured within their respective Divisions. Councillors  also emphasised the need for effective communications on the implementation of the Strategy to include consultation with the local Division member.  Cllr Thomson emphasised that this was about approving, albeit in principle, the overarching Strategy and that consultation would of course be undertaken on any site specific proposals at the appropriate time. He offered the services of the DCS team to provide further clarification on request.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

(a)                 approve the Older People Accommodation Development Strategy attached as presented at Appendix 1;

(b)                    authorise the procurement of a Preferred Development Partner Framework, the term of the framework to be 10 years, in conjunction with Devon County Council, including the principle of the assembly of parcel(s) of land for disposal.  An additional report will be presented to the Capital Assets Committee and Cabinet once the tender exercise has been conducted;

(c)                     approve the principle of the closure of existing facilities and the associated re-housing of residents into alternative facilities.  Displaced residents will be able to move back to redeveloped facilities on the original site where they lived if there is a new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189