Purpose

To
approve the Sheltered Housing Review

Content

It was
RESOLVED: -
 
1.1         
Option C: That Cabinet approved the proposal to
decommission the sheltered housing service at these 2 schemes and
change the use of these units to ‘general needs’,
allocate accommodation to residents in accordance with the Gateway
to Homechoice Allocations Policy but apply a local lettings policy
(appendix 1) to be reviewed after 5 years.

 
1.2         
Schemes included in the proposal were: The Croft,
Tostock, IP30 9NX [7 Bungalows] and Manns Court, Cooks Rd,
Elmswell, IP30 9BZ [14 bungalows and 1 flat].  Total 22 homes.

 
1.3         
That delegated authority is granted to the
Director - Housing to decide upon the future use of communal spaces
and facilities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing
at Mann’s Court, Elmswell. 
 
REASON FOR
DECISION
 
Option A is not recommended due to several reasons: there was
low uptake and demand for the current service, the costs of
replacement and maintenance of existing warden call systems would
require an increase in service charges for all tenants at the
scheme (regardless of whether they want or need the service) and
those charges would be ineligible for housing benefits impacting on
affordability.  As an alternative to
charging service charges, subsidising the install and maintenance
from the general rent pool is inequitable and the capital budget
should be prioritised to improving the decency and energy
efficiency of our homes more widely.
 
Option B was not recommended, whilst decommissioning the
sheltered housing service was supported by resident feedback and
the financial arguments, it was important to retain specified
accommodation for older persons and those with need for ground
floor and adapted bungalows/flats, and to maintain community
cohesion.
 
Option C was recommended because it ensured choice and
affordability for tenants wanting continued access to welfare
services, albeit from third-party providers rather than from the
Council.  Existing and new tenants would
not be required to pay for a service they do not need or benefit
from, and they would have greater choice and flexibility in how
they access the services.  A local
lettings policy would assure tenants that neighbouring properties
would be sensitively let and to those in need of them. 
 
Delegated authority to the Director of Housing for the communal
facility review would allow decisions to be made locally, in
consultation with residents and Cabinet Members. This approach
avoided the need to refer matters back to Cabinet, which is
time-consuming and not an efficient use of resources.
 
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected:
Option A: Retain one or both schemes as sheltered housing,
replace existing systems and continue to provide services, service
charging the costs to all tenants where applicable, and/or
subsidising costs through the HRA budget. 
 
Option B: Decommission the sheltered housing service at these 2
schemes and change the use of these units to general needs, to
allocate accommodation to residents in accordance with the Gateway
to Homechoice Allocations policy with no restrictions.
 
Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None