Decision details

(a)       That progress with the implementation of the Leicestershire Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy for Older People 2016-2026 be noted;

(b)       That the development of the Waterside Court extra care facility in Loughborough and the proposed procurement of care contracts for Waterside Court up to November 2018 be noted;

(c)        That the proposed approach to procuring countywide extra care services from November 2018 as set out in paragraphs 33 and 34 of the report be noted;

(d)       That the outcome of the market testing exercise undertaken for the Catherine Dalley House and Silverdale Hostel site be noted;

(e)       That the sale of the Catherine Dalley House and Silverdale Hostel site be approved and the proceeds from the sale be added to the general capital receipts for use in the Council’s capital programme;

(f)        That a further report be presented to the Cabinet within the next 12 months outlining the requirements for extra care provision in Leicestershire and detailing plans for its prioritisation within the Council’s future capital programme.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Leicestershire Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy for Older People 2016-2026 (the Accommodation Strategy) and associated delivery plan provides the Council with agreed priorities in relation to accommodation for older people over the next 10 years.  Although adult social care does not directly provide accommodation, the Strategy has been developed to fulfil statutory duties relating to the Care Act, meet efficiency targets and provide a basis for planning, partnership working and commissioning, in accordance with the overarching Adult Social Care Strategy to prevent, reduce, delay and meet a person’s need for services.

The Catherine Dalley House and Silverdale Hostel site has been held vacant pending the finalisation of both the Accommodation Strategy and the outcome of a market testing exercise on how to make best use of the site as a potential extra care development.

The results of market testing indicated that extra care providers would not favour a mixed tenure scheme and providers indicated they would not wish to enter into a scheme until the Government had made a definite decision regarding the introduction of Local Housing Allowance rent cap and the revenue funding of schemes.

Given the results of the market testing, it is recommended that the whole site be disposed of as soon as possible on the basis of inviting offers for either extra care or residential use (subject to planning).

The Cabinet has previously agreed that the proceeds of the sale of elderly persons homes, including Catherine Dalley House, be earmarked for the development of extra care, but at present there are no formal plans to develop an extra care facility.  Given the uncertainty about the future provision of revenue support for residents following the Government’s consultation on funding reform for supported accommodation, it is proposed that the capital receipt from the sale of the Catherine Dalley House and Silverdale Hostel site be un-ring-fenced.  When the requirements for extra care provision in Leicestershire can be confirmed resources will be prioritised within the Council’s capital programme.