Decision details

Received a report proposing a range of options for the future provision of residential care for older people and the home care service, and summarising the process and outcome of a comprehensive consultation on the implications of the decisions.

Agreed, in order to deliver the required efficiencies and meet the needs of vulnerable older people in the Borough, to:

1.  Support the closure of Brockelbank and Mayesbrook.

2.  Support the refurbishment of Lakerise to provide a specialist Dementia care home and maximise the opportunities at the adjacent Sheltered Housing Unit to extend dementia services.

3.  The restructure of the Home Care service to provide better services for local residents, but delay the phased staffing reductions for nine months whilst discussions continue with trades unions on cost reductions and the finalization of a new agreement.  In the event that such cost reductions do not enable the service to be delivered within its budget then Option 3 will be implemented by the Corporate Director of Adult & Community Services with effect from January 2008.

(Option 3 as summarised in the report is that: “the service will be restructured with a directly provided ‘intake’ personal care service, together with a specialist dementia team. Initially the Council will continue to provide a long term service in-house, reducing over a period of time with the balance of hours being commissioned form the independent sector.”)