The Cabinet of Waltham Forest Council met on Tuesday 4 June 2024, making decisions on the future of learning disability services and tackling homelessness. Key decisions included agreeing to consult on the potential closure of the Markhouse Centre and proceeding with a joint venture with Mears to procure new homes for homeless households.

Learning Disabilities Review and Consultation on the Future of the Markhouse Centre

Cabinet agreed to proceed with a consultation on the potential closure of the Markhouse Centre, a day opportunities service for adults with learning disabilities and autism. This decision follows a review that highlighted limitations with the current building and a shift towards a more person-centred, community-based approach to day services. The review found that the Markhouse Centre building requires significant investment of over £1.267 million to bring it up to an acceptable condition, and that the cost of running the service is higher than accessing alternative provision in the wider market.

The consultation, which is planned to run from 17 June to 28 July, will seek views from service users, parents, carers, and other stakeholders. The analysis of the consultation will be brought back to Cabinet in November 2024 for a final decision on the future of the Markhouse Centre. Councillor Louise Mitchell, Portfolio Lead Member for Adults and Health, thanked officers for their work on the report.

Tackling Homelessness through a second Joint Venture Housing Scheme with Mears and Procurement of Temporary Accommodation through the Dynamic Purchasing System

Cabinet agreed to proceed with a second joint venture with Mears Housing Management (Holdings) Limited to procure up to 400 homes. These homes will be used to provide settled accommodation for households currently owed a main housing duty and living in temporary accommodation, aiming to reduce pressure on the council's General Fund and move households on from temporary accommodation. This initiative builds on a previous successful joint venture with Mears.

The decision also delegates authority to the Strategic Director of Place to approve the updated financial model and enter into legal agreements for the joint venture. However, operationalisation of the joint venture will be suspended if a financially viable bond rate and legal agreements cannot be secured by 31 March 2025.

Additionally, Cabinet approved the procurement of temporary accommodation through the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to meet the ongoing needs of homeless households in the borough. Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader (Housing and Regeneration), was thanked for his leadership in this area. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Grace Williams, highlighted the need for flexibility in finding solutions due to a challenging financial market.