Decision details

Purpose of Report: To provide Members with the results of the consultation undertaken with the residents, relatives and staff of Woolnough House residential care home to explore the option to close the home with current residents moving to alternative accommodation, and for Members to make a decision about whether to close Woolnough House. The context for this decision is that the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme aims to meet people’s changing needs for accommodation with care, and in-particular the needs of those with dementia and the demographic challenges faced by the city, through delivering additional Extra Care accommodation and new, good quality, residential and nursing care accommodation.

Members are asked to make a decision about whether to close Woolnough House residential care home and, if a decision is made to close it, require that residents’ moves to their new homes are carefully planned and managed in line with the Moving Homes Safely protocol. The report will also seek sanction to consult on the option to close a further two homes.

Resolved:   That the Executive;

                                     I.        Note that the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme aimed to address the needs and aspirations of older people who needed accommodation and care, both now and in the future, equipping York to meet their needs by delivering new Extra Care accommodation and good quality residential and nursing provision which meets modern day standards;

                                   II.        Receive the outcome of the consultation undertaken with residents, family, carers and staff of Woolnough House to explore the option to close the home with current residents moving to alternative accommodation;

                                  III.        Agree to close Woolnough House residential care home with a  requirement that residents’ moves to their new homes are carefully planned and managed, in line with the Moving Homes Safely protocol;

                                 IV.        Agree that the alternative uses of the Woolnough House site and adjacent land, in total 0.76 acres, be examined in accordance with the revised Corporate Asset Strategy and should it be concluded that sale is the preferred option that it be sold forthwith in order to generate a capital receipt to support the wider Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme.

Reason:     In order to increase the supply of good quality accommodation with care for independent living together with new residential and nursing home provision to address the changing needs and aspirations amongst York’s older population and ensuring that more can choose to live independently at home.