Issue - meetings

Report CS1424

This report had originally been included on the part 2 agenda, but now that all tenants had been spoken to about the proposals this was not necessary and the report could be discussed in public.

The report set out the current position regarding extra care housing provision in the borough. The number of voids had remained high since the Committee had last received a report on the issue in October 2013, and at December 2014 it stood at 35. This represented a continuing financial risk for the Council and officers considered that a reduction of 30 units would be appropriate as it would reduce the void risk whilst allowing for some variation in demand.

Affinity Sutton owned three extra care housing schemes and were reviewing the potential future investment needed to maintain these properties in an acceptable condition. This had identified that Lubbock House in Orpington required significant investment in the fabric of the building which rendered it unviable in the long-term. There were currently 8 voids at Lubbock House, with 19 tenants in residence. Affinity Sutton was consulting with its tenants about its closure, and it was proposed that the Council consult at the same time with staff.

Officers had visited Lubbock House and residents and their families had a number of concerns about the proposed closure, including the lack of similar provision in the Orpington area, the risk of moving people with complex needs and the fact that some residents had lived at Lubbock Court for many years. However, the two extra care housing schemes had closed about two years ago and the Council had developed very effective processes for consulting and involving residents and their families and for moving residents safely. A number of places were being held elsewhere to ensure that there was choice for residents and the possibility for groups of residents to move together. If the closure went ahead, the moves would take place once suitable accommodation had been identified for all residents. 

With the previous closures a small working group of members and family members had been set up to monitor progress. This had been very helpful and it was proposed that this be done again with Lubbock House.

RESOLVED that

(1) The recommendation to commence consultation with staff, trade unions and other staff representatives regarding the decommissioning of Lubbock House as an extra care housing scheme for older people, alongside the consultation by Affinity Sutton with tenants,  be supported.

(2) A working group be set up to monitor the closure and the transfer of residents, comprising Councillors Ruth Bennett, Charles Rideout and others.