Issue - meetings

The Assistant Director of Housing & Community Safety to present a report which seeks approval to deliver an enhanced re-development proposal for the Lincoln Court Independent Living Scheme.

Resolved:  (i)      That the enhanced proposal to deliver 35 high quality, future-proofed units of older persons’ independent living accommodation including 15 new build wheelchair accessible apartments and improved communal facilities (Option 1), be approved.

                   (ii)      That it be noted that, in approving the proposal, a commitment is made to provide alternative recreational facilities within Westfield ward following community consultation, including with Sport England, in mitigation for the loss of the Multi-use Games Area, the provision of these alternative facilities to be agreed by Executive subject to a further report and budget approval.

                   (iii)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care to appoint a contractor to carry out the works, subject to the project being deliverable within the available budget.

Reason:     To secure the long term future of Lincoln Court and ensure that it will provide high quality accommodation for older people to help meet the increasing demand for accessible accommodation in the area.

[See also under Part B]

The Older Person's Accommodation Programme Manager presented a report which sought approval to deliver an enhanced re-development proposal for the Lincoln Court Independent Living Scheme.

Executive were asked to approve Option 1 in the report, an enhanced scheme design giving improved accommodation and communal facilities and to revise the total budget for extending and undertaking a comprehensive refurbishment of Lincoln Court to £4.793m.

The Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods expressed her support for this option, which she considered a really good scheme. She stated that the full refurbishment meant minimal disruption for residents in the future.

In response to questions from Members, Officers stated that:

·        Fourteen of the current residents had been offered, and accepted, alternative accommodation. The remaining 5 were still going through this process and Officers were confident that no resident would be forced out at the end of the process;

·        The communal lounge would be larger than it was currently;

·        The contractor would be required to minimise disruption to local residents during the construction, have a traffic management plan and to engage with residents throughout the works, and consideration would be given to this at Planning Committee;

·        The land the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) next to Lincoln Court was situated on was part of the Council’s public realm portfolio. Even with a change of layout this would remain public realm and consultation was being undertaken as to future use of the land; and

·        Access via Green Lane had been agreed in principle with Hob Moor Primary School, with final details currently being negotiated. 

Resolved:  (i)      That the enhanced proposal to deliver 35 high quality, future-proofed units of older persons’ independent living accommodation including 15 new build wheelchair accessible apartments and improved communal facilities (Option 1), be approved.

                   (ii)      That it be noted that, in approving the proposal, a commitment is made to provide alternative recreational facilities within Westfield ward following community consultation, including with Sport England, in mitigation for the loss of the Multi-use Games Area, the provision of these alternative facilities to be agreed by Executive subject to a further report and budget approval.

                   (iii)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Health, Housing & Adult Social Care to appoint a contractor to carry out the works, subject to the project being deliverable within the available budget.

Reason:     To secure the long term future of Lincoln Court and ensure that it will provide high quality accommodation for older people to help meet the increasing demand for accessible accommodation in the area.