Decision details

Cabiinet Member approval sought.

1)              That part B of the report be exempt from disclosure by virtue of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A Part 1, paragraph 3 (as amended), in that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

2)              That the Cabinet Member for Finance, Property, and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health:

                    I.      Approved and agreed the preferred option as set out in paragraph 9.1 in the report, to deliver 65 extra-care and 22 general needs units, subject to final design, which would be fully examined during the next stage of the project.

                  II.      Note that Carlton Dene was no longer required as a care home and would no longer be reserved for that purpose.

                III.      Approved the allocation of £2.067M to develop the design for the site up to and including RIBA Stage 4 and to enable the relocation of residents from Peebles House. The Outline Business Case would seek approval to submit a planning application based on the Preferred Way Forward. 

               IV.       To note the formation of a cross-directorate project board to aid the delivery of the project. The board would consist of the senior or director nominated officers from Adult Social Care Operations and Commissioning, Housing and Regeneration, Finance, Procurement, Development and Legal.

3)              Agreed to authorise the Executive Director of Growth, Planning and Housing in consultation with the Executive Director Adult Social Care and Health and the Bi-Borough Director of Law, to deal with all necessary legal arrangements to give effect to the recommendations set out in the report.

Reasons for Decisions

1)              The key drivers for decision making were:

                    I.      Beachcroft Care Home was a new purpose-built accommodation for those currently living in Carlton Dene; the closure of Carlton Dene was agreed by Cabinet Members in April 2019 following extensive consultation with residents and relatives;

                  II.      Bringing forward additional capacity and new forms of care on sites where the Council was the freeholder (facilitated by moving existing residents to Beachcroft);

        III.              Provide new affordable homes in line with the Council’s planning policy;

        IV.              Bringing forward new affordable housing which would contribute towards meeting the 20/21 City for All objectives, in particular Vibrant Communities.

         V.              Improve the environmental performance of Council properties, saving energy and money;

        VI.              Offer current Council tenants the chance to stay in their current neighbourhood should they wish; and

VII.      Deliver viable options which consider the duty of the Council to safeguard the public purse.