Agenda item

This report provides an update on the council’s Elderly Persons’ Homes Modernisation Programme and proposes to proceed to tender to secure two new care home facilities – at Burnholme, and at Lowfield, Acomb.

RESOLVED:   i)  That Cabinet agree to the approach outlined in the report, that is:

·        To fund the building of care homes at Burnholme and Lowfield (plus a Community Hub) and seek a capital receipt for the land at Lowfield on which a range of other housing accommodation for older people will be built.

·        The two care homes to feature a ‘household model’ of residential care focused on meeting the needs of residents with dementia and high dependency care needs.

·        To proceed to tender (in a single procurement for both sites) to procure an external provider that will Design, Build, Operate and Maintain the Burnholme care home and the Lowfield Community Village for Older People. 

ii)   That Cabinet approve estimated project costs of up to £500k, as set out in paragraph 32 of the report, in order to complete the procurement process and

iii)  That Cabinet and Council receive a further report once the procurement process has been completed.

REASON:    i)     To replace the council’s existing care homes that are no longer fit-for-purpose with modern facilities designed to meet the needs of residents with specialist needs.

  ii)     So that the project can progress.

  iii)    To consider in full the financial implications of the project.

Members considered a report which provided an update on the Council’s Elderly Persons’ Homes (EPH) Modernisation Programme. Proposing to proceed to tender to secure two new care home facilities at Burnholme and at Lowfield in Acomb, as part of a community village for older people.

An earlier report, in May 2012, had outlined a modernisation programme proposing two new care homes to replace current homes at which time it had been noted that future consideration would also need to be given to whether or not a replacement for Haxby Hall was required based on future projections. Following completion of this work it was not considered that the third care home at Haxby Hall was now required. The earlier report had also proposed building at Fordlands, Fulford however the limits and constraints on this site, which had come to light in Autumn 2012, had precluded further consideration.

Further details of the work undertaken, financing and procurement proposals for the two specialist residential care homes at Burnholme and Lowfield were set out in the report at paragraphs 15 to 35. Timescales together with a table highlighting the new homes that existing residents were most likely to move to, were reported at paragraphs 36 to 38 and Annex B. Although it was noted that a choice of home would be offered to residents.

The Cabinet Member confirmed the aim of making the city dementia friendly. She detailed the lengthy work undertaken to get to the present stage in the programme, which had included consultation, the need to increase the supply of affordable housing and factoring in government cuts.

Officers referred to the helpful positive feedback and comments of the Wider Reference Group, in relation to the EPH modernisation programme, which had assisted their work.

The Chair made reference to the positive ambitious vision for elderly persons’ care these proposals offered which would revolve around the individuals concerned.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:   i)  That Cabinet agree to the approach outlined in the report, that is:

·        To fund the building of care homes at Burnholme and Lowfield (plus a Community Hub) and seek a capital receipt for the land at Lowfield on which a range of other housing accommodation for older people will be built.

·        The two care homes to feature a ‘household model’ of residential care focused on meeting the needs of residents with dementia and high dependency care needs.

·        To proceed to tender (in a single procurement for both sites) to procure an external provider that will Design, Build, Operate and Maintain the Burnholme care home and the Lowfield Community Village for Older People. ^1.

ii)   That Cabinet approve estimated project costs of up to £500k, as set out in paragraph 32 of the report, in order to complete the procurement process and

iii)  That Cabinet and Council receive a further report once the procurement process has been completed. ^2.

REASON:    i)     To replace the council’s existing care homes that are no longer fit-for-purpose with modern facilities designed to meet the needs of residents with specialist needs.

  ii)     So that the project can progress.

  iii)    To consider in full the financial implications of the project.