Contact: Jane Graham, Ext. 7211

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought: Approval for the funding of furniture and equipment for the Older Persons Homes Reinvestment Strategy, to a sum of £296,000.

2 Reason(s)

2.1 To provide furniture and equipment for the refurbished accommodation at Solent Mead, Green Meadows and Deeside. The opportunity is also being taken to provide equipment to assist with moving and handling frail elderly residents.

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or a member for officer consulted - not applicable.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable

Approved by: Date of decision:

Councillor Felicity Hindson

1 Introduction

1.1 The Adults' Services Sub-Committee approved combined building feasibility and design project appraisals for Solent Mead, Green Meadows and Deeside at their meetings in April 2001, July 2000 and December 2000.

1.2 The reports stated that the detailed furniture and equipment requirements would be reported to a future meeting. The details are set out below.

2 Furniture and equipment requirements

2.1 Work to refurbish the above homes has recently started or is due to commence shortly and completion is scheduled for August 2002 onwards. Work at the three homes is being undertaken on a phased basis to minimise disruption to residents. The provision of new furniture and equipment will likewise be undertaken on a phased basis. The following accommodation will require to be furnished and equipped:

Lounge / dining rooms

Offices

Toilets and bathrooms

Kitchens

Bedrooms

Garden areas

Laundries

Entrance areas

Hairdressing rooms

2.2 The estimated costs are as follows for Solent Mead, Green Meadows and Deeside:

2.3 Included in the list of furniture and equipment requirements above are a number of specialist items of equipment e.g. hospital beds, slings for the ceiling track hoists, shower chairs and mobile hoists. This is to meet the needs of increasingly frail elderly residents.

2.4 As much as possible of the homes' existing furniture and equipment is to be retained and reused. However, a considerable amount dates from the homes' original construction and now requires replacement.

3 Financing

3.1 The estimated cost of the furniture and equipment is £296,000 and it is proposed that this be funded from the Social Services Committee's 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 Capital Programme block allocations for this purpose. The furniture and equipment will be purchased through County Supplies or competitive tender as appropriate.

Recommendation

That approval be given to the purchase of furniture and equipment for the Older Persons Homes Reinvestment Strategy Phase II to the sum of £296,000 and that this be funded from the furniture and equipment block allocations in the Social Services Committee's 2001/2002 and 2002/2003 Capital Programme, subject to approval of the capital allocation for the 2002/2003 financial year.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.