Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme and demonstrates the changing supply and demand for older persons’ accommodation with care up to 2020. The report also seeks consent to progress plans for the re-development of the Lowfield school site, open negotiations to purchase land adjacent to Haxby Hall and consult on the closure of a further Older Persons’ Home in the autumn of 2016 and one in the first half of 2017.

Resolved:  (i)      That the progress made towards delivering the

Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme agreed by Executive in July 2015 and the changing supply and demand for older persons’ accommodation with care up to 2020 be noted.

                             Lowfield

                   (ii)      That it be agreed to move forward with the

development of the Lowfield School site in order to deliver:

i.             Approximately 3 acres for the potential development of health and wellbeing facilities, including a care home;

ii.            Approximately 9 acres for housing, including “starter homes” and homes for the over 60s;

iii.           Approximately 1 acre as play and open space; and

iv.          A capital receipt of at least £3.8m from sale of land on the site.

(iii)     That the examination of the opportunity to create

football facilities on land off Tadcaster Road be authorised.

(iv)    That a further report be received in the autumn

providing feedback on the public engagement and proposals for the future of the Lowfield site

Haxby Hall

(v)     That the Director of Customer and Business Support

Services be authorised to commence negotiations for and agree the purchase of land adjacent to Haxby Hall, in order to facilitate the examination of options for the future of Haxby Hall Older Persons’ Home as part of the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme.

(vi)    That Council be recommended to approve that provision of up to £600,000 be made within the Capital Programme to meet the acquisition and legal costs as well as to fund demolition, enabling and related works, drawing upon capital held for the use of the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme.

(vii)    That a further report be received in the autumn on the

examination of options for the long term future of Haxby Hall, including seeking a partner to operate and redevelop as an alternative to consultation on closure.

          Consultation on Closure

(viii)   That, this autumn, a six week period of consultation be

undertaken with the residents, family, carers and staff of one of the Council’s Older Persons’ Homes to explore the option to close the home with current residents moving to alternative accommodation and that a further report on the outcome of this consultation be received by the Executive before a final decision to close is made and that this process is repeated in the first half of 2017 in respect of a further Council run Older Persons’ Home.

          Further reports

(ix)    That the Executive receive regular written updates on

the progress of the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme.

Reasons:   (i)      To ensure that the Executive is kept updated on

progress made in delivering the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme.

(ii) to (iv)     So that the consideration of the redevelopment of

                   Lowfield can progress.

(v) to (vi)    To allow the development of options for the

future of Haxby Hall as part of the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme.

(vii)    So that the Executive can decide the best future

          for Haxby Hall.

(viii)   So that the Executive may decide which homes

may close having been fully informed of the views of and options  ...  view the full decision text for item 26

[See also Part B minutes]

Members considered a report that provided an update on the Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme and which demonstrated the changing supply and demand for older persons’ accommodation with care up to 2020.  The report also sought consent to:

·        Move forward with plans for the re-development of the Lowfield school site, beginning with public engagement regarding use and design.

·        Open negotiations to purchase land adjacent to Haxby Hall in order to facilitate the examination of options for its future.

·        Consult on the closure of a further Older Persons’ Home in the autumn of 2016 and another one in the first half of 2017, in accordance with the Moving Homes Safely Protocol.

Officers stated that good progress had been made and that they were seeking approval to move forward to the next stage of the project. They detailed the proposals, as outlined in the written report.

Referring to the Lowfields site, the Executive Member stated that the plan was affordable and she hoped that it would be acceptable to local residents.  Consultation would take place on the plan.  The Executive Member stated that she also welcomed the plans for Haxby Hall as this was very much part of the community. Referring to the consultation on the closure of older persons’ homes, the Executive Member stated this action was necessary as some of the accommodation was not for purpose.

Councillor Waller commented on the proposals in respect of the Lowfield site, in particular his support for the care home, and elderly housing but residents concerns about the loss of open space and the length of time of building works. He stated that he would like to see options to increase open space on the site.  It was also important to ensure that the impact of the building work on the local community was minimised.  Councillor Waller stated that he welcomed the discussions that had taken place with the local football team regarding future arrangements.  He also commented on possibilities in respect of a community hub on the land behind Acomb Explore.

Members stated that they were pleased to note the progress that had been made and they welcomed the proposals for the next stage of the project.  They commented on the need to balance provision of the accommodation across and the city and to ensure that the impact of the proposed work on the community was effectively managed. 

Resolved¹:(i)      That the progress made towards delivering the

Older Persons’ Accommodation Programme agreed by Executive in July 2015 and the changing supply and demand for older persons’ accommodation with care up to 2020 be noted.

                             Lowfield

                   (ii)      That it be agreed to move forward with the

development of the Lowfield School site in order to deliver:

i.             Approximately 3 acres for the potential development of health and wellbeing facilities, including a care home;

ii.            Approximately 9 acres for housing, including “starter homes” and homes for the over 60s;

iii.           Approximately 1 acre as play and open space;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26