Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 5, 2024

Purpose: The report requests an increase the agreed allocation of capital funds for the acquisition and refurbishment of Wakeling Court from £2.5m (agreed at Cabinet in April 2023) to £4.3m   It also requests delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Adults and Health, in consultation with the Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, to commence and approve a procurement process for contract/s for the refurbishment of the Property up to a value of £3.2m; and to determine the arrangements for the Council’s letting of the Property, including if appropriate the leasing of the Property to a suitable registered provider, and to enter into the necessary associated legal and contractual documentation to effect the arrangements.

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:   i)  Increase the agreed allocation of capital funds for the acquisition and refurbishment of Wakeling Court from £2.5m to £4.3m ii)  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Adults and Health, in consultation with the Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, to commence and approve a procurement process for contract/s for the refurbishment of the Property up to a value of £3.2m; iii)  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Adults and Health in consultation with the Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care to determine the arrangements for the Council’s letting of the Property, including if appropriate the leasing of the Property to a suitable registered provider, and to enter into the necessary associated legal and contractual documentation to effect the arrangements.   Alternatives Considered   a)  Build and Acquire – Cabinet agreed the Supported Accommodation transformation plan in June 2022. This included an aspiration to build and acquire our own supported accommodation. As part of the Local Plan 2022-2032, the Council will explore building a Supported Accommodation and/or a Care Home and this will continue whatever the outcome of this proposal. Projected future demand warrants that both alternatives be progressed. b)  Do nothing/do minimum – acquisition and refurbishment of the Property with the capital budget agreed by Cabinet in April 2023 will not provide accommodation of sufficient quality for the proposed scheme – the need for a more enhanced refurbishment was only apparent after a detailed concept design. If the proposals in this report are not approved, the proposed scheme would not be viable so either another use (which is 8 compliant with the historic grant) would need to be proposed, or the acquisition would have to be abandoned.