Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Director of Customer and Advice Services approved by Executive Cabinet on 20 November 2014.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader presented a report which had been agreed at Executive Cabinet on 20 November 2014, on the outcome of the Fleet Street Master Plan consultation exercise. 

The area had been identified for potential housing development and consultation had demonstrated public support for older persons accommodation with extra care identified as a suitable option to help provide independent living for those whose only other option would be residential care.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member Resources seconded and it was RESOLVED –

Report of Director of Customer and Advice Services.

1.         Council be requested to proceed with developing the business case and design for an extra care scheme on Fleet Street.

2.         Approval granted that an options appraisal is incorporated into the project which includes exploring the option for a council owned and managed Extra Care Scheme.

3.         Council be requested to proceed with site accumulation works and associated consultation.

4.         Council be requested to allocate sufficient resources in order to proceed with the project, which will enable the commission of an architect and if necessary professional fees to assist in the modelling of the scheme finances, including capital costs and income and expenditure.

5.         That subject to the findings of the business case, a future report is submitted to Executive Cabinet which will seek permission to allocate the land, any capital funding and to progress the scheme.

The report of the Director of Customer and Advice Services was presented by the Executive Member (Customer and Advice Services), Councillor Graham Dunn.

Nationally and locally there were significant challenges in meeting the needs of a changing demographic profile, with increasing life expectancy and demands for housing which balance independence with varying levels of care and support.

Lancashire County Council published an Extra Care and Specialist Housing Strategy in May 2014 and this document provided strategic context for this emerging issue, as well as a compelling argument for significant volume of new provision of older person’s accommodation across Lancashire, to meet both need but also deliver efficiency savings from the use of residential care and also hospital admissions.

Fleet Street was identified as a potential parcel of land suitable for housing development as part of the Town Centre Masterplan.  A detailed consultation exercise was undertaken with local residents.  The outcome of the consultation was positive and demonstrated a support locally for older person’s accommodation.

Extra care in particular was identified as a suitable option as it was more than simply accommodation only for older persons, enabling care and support to be provided as part of an independent living environment, for those whose only other option is residential care.

Several site visits had been undertaken, at Wigan, Salford and Ormskirk.  The project would require thorough planning and the support of relevant stakeholders including LCC, the CCG and the HCA.  Initial discussions with these partners had been positive. 

Members noted that a balance of tenure would be required. 

Decision:

1.         Council be requested to proceed with developing the business case and design for an extra care scheme on Fleet Street.

2.         Approval granted that an options appraisal is incorporated into the project which includes exploring the option for a council owned and managed Extra Care Scheme.

3.         Council be requested to proceed with site accumulation works and associated consultation.

4.         Council be requested to allocate sufficient resources in order to proceed with the project, which will enable the commission of an architect and if necessary professional fees to assist in the modelling of the scheme finances, including capital costs and income and expenditure.

5.         That subject to the findings of the business case, a future report is submitted to Executive Cabinet which will seek permission to allocate the land, any capital funding and to progress the scheme.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To deliver appropriate housing for older persons and develop a scheme which will become a long-term council asset which will generate a revenue income stream.

Alternative options considered and rejected

An alternative option is to transfer the site to an RP for use for general needs housing however this was rejected because there is a compelling case for new older persons accommodation and the Council needs to explore ways of combining the delivery strategic objectives with generating income.