Decision

That the Final Business Case for the scheme as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, which includes the full and final build cost and projects costs, with a breakdown of the funding (including internal capital resources, external grant and secured capital receipts), be approved.

Reasons for the decision

The development of sheltered housing with integrated health and social care services, known as 'extra care housing', along with the reprovision of specialist resources for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities remains a key part of the Council's market transformation strategy to meet future care market demand of the next 20 years.

Furthermore, the delivery of the Crossways scheme as a development of modern, purpose-built supported apartments would make a significant contribution to the Council's stated target of 200 additional extra care apartments by 2030, and would support the delivery of a more outcome focussed and financially sustainable care offer in Torbay.

Alternative options considered

Acknowledging the approval by Full Council to uplift the Capital Programme and to approve Prudential Borrowing to deliver the project, the options at this stage were;

Option 1 – approve the Recommendation as set out and proceed to deliver the scheme for the Crossways site.

Option 2 was not to proceed, effectively stepping away from the opportunity to bring forward a brownfield site to support the local housing market.  This would avoid capital risk but would not improve the housing situation and would be less likely to secure delivery of the site to meet Local Plan targets in the medium term.