Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities regarding the outcome of a consultation exercise on proposals to reconfigure the Council’s in-house learning disability residential accommodation, and recommending changes to provision of these services in Coalville and Hinckley.  A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a copy of which is filed with these minutes, and Mr. Rushton referred to a letter received from relatives of a resident at The Trees (Hinckley) in support of the proposals and thanking the Director and his team and Mr. Blunt CC.

Mr. Blunt said that it had proved to be the most challenging issue he had dealt with in recent years and he was grateful for the extra funding that had been provided which had enabled the final proposals to be developed.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That long-stay residential services at The Trees in Hinckley continue to be provided subject to reconfiguration and refurbishment of the existing buildings;

(b)      That long-stay residential services at Hamilton Court in Coalville be closed and the residents be supported to find appropriate alternative accommodation;

(c)      That a new short breaks service be developed on the Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site to replace the existing short breaks building;

(d)      That it be noted that the development of the seven-bed accessible short breaks service on the existing Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site will be funded from discretionary capital funds, including the Council’s Future Developments Fund;

(e)      That it be noted that the use of the Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site for supported living housing will continue to be explored.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The existing accommodation at The Trees is not considered to be satisfactory for continued provision of long-stay accommodation, but a feasibility study confirmed that the property can be reconfigured and refurbished to modern standards. The buildings at Hamilton Court and Smith Crescent (adjacent to each other in Coalville) have also become unsuitable, with particular issues for people with physical and/or sensory disabilities.  A feasibility study has confirmed that it is not possible to reconfigure these buildings but the development of a new service on the site will address the continued need for short break services.

The original proposals to reconfigure the services in Hinckley were planned to compensate for a reduction in short break beds in Coalville.  The revised proposals to retain long-stay accommodation in Hinckley will leave a shortfall in short break beds, hence the proposal for the Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site.