Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

19 July 2006

Reprovision of Older Persons' Homes - Courtbourn, Farnborough

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

i)

in light of the decision taken by the Adult Social Care Executive Member on 26 May 2006, the reprovision of services from Courtbourn Older Persons' Home, Farnborough be endorsed and the property brought forward for disposal; and that the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates) be authorised to settle the detailed terms and conditions of sale; and

ii)

the Executive Member for Policy and Resources reaffirms the decision taken on 31 January 2006 to allow 100% of the capital receipt generated by the sale of Courtbourn to be retained by Adult Services to fund fire safety and associated improvements within core stock residential homes.

2

Reasons

2.1

To rationalise facilities from which Adult Services operations are conducted and secure capital receipts for reinvestment in core retained homes.

2.2

This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities by way of delivering caring services to meet the needs of service users.

Aim 5 - Improving services by way of reinvesting resources to reprovide facilities and deliver services.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

To upgrade the Home to address operational and asset management issues but, for economic reasons, this has been discounted.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member, Policy & Resources Item

19 July 2006

Reprovision of Older Persons' Homes - Courtbourn, Farnborough

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits in with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of the following Corporate Aims:

Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities by way of delivering caring services to meet the needs of service users.

Aim 5 - Improving services by way of reinvesting resources to reprovide facilities and deliver services.

1

Summary

1.1

This report sets out further proposals for the rationalisation of County Council assets arising out of the ongoing review of services provided from Older Persons' Homes and recommends that Courtbourn Older Persons' Home, Farnborough is brought forward for disposal upon its closure later in 2006.

2

Background

2.1

At the Executive Member for Policy and Resources meeting on 31Janaury 2006, it was reported that the use of Courtbourn as a residential home was becoming increasingly difficult to sustain in terms of meeting the "fit for purpose" criteria.

2.2

Inherent problems with the building create difficulties in meeting the needs of residents with high physical dependency or dementia needs. At an indicative cost of £1.2 million to bring the property up to the required standard, the economic case for maintaining the property in residential use was becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

2.3

Accordingly, approval was given for the Director of Adult Services to undertake a formal consultation on the future of maintaining service provision at Courtbourn.

2.4

That consultation has been concluded and, at the meeting on 26 May 2006, the Adult Social Care Executive Member confirmed that residential services from Courtbourn should be re-provided with residents being relocated to other County Council and private care homes. The approved strategic direction for older people will provide greater support at home rather than going into residential care. In addition, extra care housing is planned so as to provide care on site in accordance with people's assessed needs. Subject to the care needs of residents being met, the closure of the Home is intended to be completed by the end of October 2006.

3

Asset management principles

3.1

As reported in January, it is anticipated that the most appropriate alternative use for the Courtbourn site would be for residential development and it is proposed that preliminary investigations are commenced in preparation for the disposal after closure. Development options will need to be considered against planning policy requirements and early discussions will be held with the Local Planning Authority in an effort to establish the most appropriate form of development for the site that will assist in meeting the objective of securing maximum capital receipts for reinvestment in retained properties. Such preparation can be progressed without prejudicing the care needs of residents whilst the home continues to be used over the coming months.

4

Conclusions

4.1

Given that refurbishment of Courtbourn is not considered to be economically viable and in light of the decision to proceed with the reprovision of services out of Courtbourn, it is proposed that the strategy first considered in January 2006 should be progressed with a view to the disposal of Courtbourn once vacated.

4.2

Given the continued need to secure improvements in the retained stock of residential care homes, it is also proposed that 100% of the capital receipt generated out of the sale of Courtbourn should be reinvested in retained properties as previously approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.

5

Consultation with local Member

5.1

Councillor Mrs P Devereux has been consulted on this project/scheme and supports the proposals recommended.

Recommendations

1

In light of the decision taken by the Adult Social Care Executive Member on 26 May 2006, the reprovision of services from Courtbourn Older Persons' Home, Farnborough be endorsed and the property brought forward for disposal; and that the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates) be authorised to settle the detailed terms and conditions of sale; and

2

the Executive Member for Policy and Resources reaffirms the decision taken on 31 January 2006 to allow 100% of the capital receipt generated by the sale of Courtbourn to be retained by Adult Services to fund fire safety and associated improvements within core stock residential homes.