Agenda item

9.1

The Executive Director, Communities, submitted a report containing proposals for the future of Newton Grange residential care home and sheltered accommodation at Balfour House and Sweeney House. The report also referred to the development of approximately 50 units of new build development for older people.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(a)

agrees to decommission Newton Grange Care Home to facilitate the development of purpose built lifetime standard older people’s accommodation;

(b)

acknowledges that the Council will secure appropriate alternative provision of long term care from the independent sector;

(c)

agrees that approval granted on 28 February, 2007 to the proposals for the long term closure of 6 sheltered housing schemes be rescinded insofar as it relates to Balfour House;

(d)

agrees that priority for re-housing be awarded to all residents at Sweeney House, in accordance with the Council’s Lettings Policy;

(e)

agrees that discretionary home loss (under section 32 of the Land and Compensation Act 1973) be paid to tenants of Sweeney House who have been in occupation for 12 months at the time of displacement, and discretionary payments be made to all tenants to cover any removal expenses (under Section 26 of the Housing Act 1985);

(f)

agrees that the site shown edged in red at Appendix 7 be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and leased to the Sanctuary Housing Group for a period of 250 years at nil consideration for use as social housing;

(g)

notes that the aforementioned site will be used for the development that has approved funding from the Homes and Communities Agency;

(h)

authorises the Director of Property and Facilities Management (i), in consultation with the Director of Housing, Enterprise and Regeneration, to negotiate and agree terms for the disposal of the site for the purpose set out in the report and (ii) to instruct the Director of Legal Services to complete the necessary legal documentation;

(i)

authorises the Director of Property and Facilities Management to vary the exact extent of the land disposed of to facilitate the development set out in the report; and

(j)

agrees that consideration can be given to residual funding, as a result of the decommissioning of Newton Grange, for two care provider manager posts to focus on care home and domiciliary care provider leadership and quality (including, for example, direct support where there is market failure)

9.3

Reasons for Recommendations

9.3.1

The City Council no longer provides long term residential care and Newton Grange is the last remaining Council run home.

The City Council has given a commitment to secure alternative care services within improved facilities and services which will deliver better value for money and better outcomes for people.

9.3.2

Older people, their families and carers have told the City Council that they want to be supported in their own homes or as close to home as possible. Furthermore they have indicated that they want high quality care and support services that treat them with dignity and respect at all times.

9.3.3

The City Council has given a commitment to secure alternative care services within improved facilities and services which will deliver better value for money and better outcomes for people.

9.3.4

Balfour House has the potential to be brought up to the Sheffield Decent Homes Standard (Capital Programme funding has been identified from the Investment Plan and subject to approval of a Capital Approval Form (CAF). Work will commence to upgrade the scheme in 2013.

9.3.5

Sweeney House, due to the poor layout and nature of the structural problems affecting the building should be decommissioned as planned. (Capital Programme funding has been identified from the Investment Plan and is subject to approval of a Capital Approval Form (CAF).

9.3.6

Newton Grange is well-located in terms of accessibility to local facilities and the site is the best available to the Council in Stocksbridge for the provision of housing for older people.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Victoria Road site -

·        Planning has advised… The site is part of Bracken Moor Playing Fields.  It is designated Open Space and there is currently a shortage of open space in the area.  If evidence can be provided that it is not contrary to open space policies after full consultation, then acceptability in principle is subject to certain policy requirements.  In addition to this the site is not large enough for the 50 units required – the density for the site would be 29 units.

·        The site is opposite residential owner occupied properties, some of which are bungalows.  As the site is on an incline any development would rise above these properties.

9.4.2

Victoria Street -

• Planning has advised… The land is zoned as part of the District Shopping Centre and is currently used as two separate car parks.  Development Services have previously suggested that the use of the site should be retained as such.  Housing development may well be acceptable in principle but the loss of these important shoppers car parks, without replacement in the immediate vicinity or within the principle shopping area is contrary to policy.  The loss of these two car parks to housing development will have a detrimental affect on the long term vitality of the primary shopping area in conflict with Core Strategy policy CS33 and is not recommended.  In addition there is insufficient space for 50 units of accommodation – the maximum number would be 18.

9.4.3

Outokumpu sites at Stocksbridge -

There are two Outokumpu sites at Stocksbridge which lie adjacent to each other – the residential site and the mixed use site:

• Residential site (previously indicated as being within a flood plain) -
  A planning application has been lodged by the Stocksbridge Regeneration Company (SRC) which is pending a decision. (Ref: 11/00384/FUL)

• Mixed use site - The majority of this site is owned by SRC (the remaining land is owned between the Duke of Norfolk, Outokumpu and various other companies).  SRC have planning approval to develop the site which is valid up to 22/07/12 – after this date they will have the opportunity renew the approval which it is believed they will do.  (Ref: 08/02703/FUL).

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

9.5.1

None.

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

9.6.1

None.

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

9.7.1

Richard Webb, Executive Director, Communities.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision

Called In

9.8.1

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care.

9.1

The Executive Director, Communities, submitted a report containing proposals for the future of Newton Grange residential care home and sheltered accommodation at Balfour House and Sweeney House. The report also referred to the development of approximately 50 units of new build development for older people.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(a)

agrees to decommission Newton Grange Care Home to facilitate the development of purpose built lifetime standard older people’s accommodation;

(b)

acknowledges that the Council will secure appropriate alternative provision of long term care from the independent sector;

(c)

agrees that approval granted on 28 February, 2007 to the proposals for the long term closure of 6 sheltered housing schemes be rescinded insofar as it relates to Balfour House;

(d)

agrees that priority for re-housing be awarded to all residents at Sweeney House, in accordance with the Council’s Lettings Policy;

(e)

agrees that discretionary home loss (under section 32 of the Land and Compensation Act 1973) be paid to tenants of Sweeney House who have been in occupation for 12 months at the time of displacement, and discretionary payments be made to all tenants to cover any removal expenses (under Section 26 of the Housing Act 1985);

(f)

agrees that the site shown edged in red at Appendix 7 be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and leased to the Sanctuary Housing Group for a period of 250 years at nil consideration for use as social housing;

(g)

notes that the aforementioned site will be used for the development that has approved funding from the Homes and Communities Agency;

(h)

authorises the Director of Property and Facilities Management (i), in consultation with the Director of Housing, Enterprise and Regeneration, to negotiate and agree terms for the disposal of the site for the purpose set out in the report and (ii) to instruct the Director of Legal Services to complete the necessary legal documentation;

(i)

authorises the Director of Property and Facilities Management to vary the exact extent of the land disposed of to facilitate the development set out in the report; and

(j)

agrees that consideration can be given to residual funding, as a result of the decommissioning of Newton Grange, for two care provider manager posts to focus on care home and domiciliary care provider leadership and quality (including, for example, direct support where there is market failure)

9.3

Reasons for Recommendations

9.3.1

The City Council no longer provides long term residential care and Newton Grange is the last remaining Council run home.

The City Council has given a commitment to secure alternative care services within improved facilities and services which will deliver better value for money and better outcomes for people.

9.3.2

Older people, their families and carers have told the City Council that they want to be supported in their own homes or as close to home as possible. Furthermore they have indicated that they want high quality care and support services that treat them with dignity and respect at all times.

9.3.3

The City Council has given a commitment to secure alternative care services within improved facilities and services which will deliver better value for money and better outcomes for people.

9.3.4

Balfour House has the potential to be brought up to the Sheffield Decent Homes Standard (Capital Programme funding has been identified from the Investment Plan and subject to approval of a Capital Approval Form (CAF). Work will commence to upgrade the scheme in 2013.

9.3.5

Sweeney House, due to the poor layout and nature of the structural problems affecting the building should be decommissioned as planned. (Capital Programme funding has been identified from the Investment Plan and is subject to approval of a Capital Approval Form (CAF).

9.3.6

Newton Grange is well-located in terms of accessibility to local facilities and the site is the best available to the Council in Stocksbridge for the provision of housing for older people.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Victoria Road site -

·        Planning has advised… The site is part of Bracken Moor Playing Fields.  It is designated Open Space and there is currently a shortage of open space in the area.  If evidence can be provided that it is not contrary to open space policies after full consultation, then acceptability in principle is subject to certain policy requirements.  In addition to this the site is not large enough for the 50 units required – the density for the site would be 29 units.

·        The site is opposite residential owner occupied properties, some of which are bungalows.  As the site is on an incline any development would rise above these properties.

9.4.2

Victoria Street -

• Planning has advised… The land is zoned as part of the District Shopping Centre and is currently used as two separate car parks.  Development Services have previously suggested that the use of the site should be retained as such.  Housing development may well be acceptable in principle but the loss of these important shoppers car parks, without replacement in the immediate vicinity or within the principle shopping area is contrary to policy.  The loss of these two car parks to housing development will have a detrimental affect on the long term vitality of the primary shopping area in conflict with Core Strategy policy CS33 and is not recommended.  In addition there is insufficient space for 50 units of accommodation – the maximum number would be 18.

9.4.3

Outokumpu sites at Stocksbridge -

There are two Outokumpu sites at Stocksbridge which lie adjacent to each other – the residential site and the mixed use site:

• Residential site (previously indicated as being within a flood plain) -
  A planning application has been lodged by the Stocksbridge Regeneration Company (SRC) which is pending a decision. (Ref: 11/00384/FUL)

• Mixed use site - The majority of this site is owned by SRC (the remaining land is owned between the Duke of Norfolk, Outokumpu and various other companies).  SRC have planning approval to develop the site which is valid up to 22/07/12 – after this date they will have the opportunity renew the approval which it is believed they will do.  (Ref: 08/02703/FUL).

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

9.5.1

None.

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

9.6.1

None.

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

9.7.1

Richard Webb, Executive Director, Communities.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision

Called In

9.8.1

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care.