Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C J Davie and Mrs S Woolley.

An apology for absence was also received from Glen Garrod, Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing. 

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

There were no announcements by the Leader, Executive Councillors or Executive Directors.

RESOLVED

        That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2021 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(To receive a report by the Executive Director - Adult Care and Community Wellbeing and the Executive Director – Commercial which recommends the release of funds from the capital programme budget to enable the Prebend Lane Scheme in Welton to commence development in Autumn 2022)

Please note: Appendices E and F to this report have not been circulated to press and public on the grounds that they are considered to contain exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.  The press and public may be excluded from the meeting if the Executive wish to discuss any of the information included within these appendices)

1.    That the payment of a sum of £1.6 million by way of grant from the Adult Care Capital Programme for Lincolnshire to LACE Housing Limited through a Funding Agreement, to support the development of the Prebend Lane Extra Care Housing Scheme, in return for nomination rights for LCC for a period of 30 years on 20 units, through a process of first refusal with no void risk, be approved; and

2.    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Public Health, to determine the final form and approve all legal documentation necessary to give effect to the above decision.

A report by the Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing and the Executive Director – Commercial was considered which recommended the release of a further £1.6 million of the remaining £7.044 million designated capital programme budget to enable the Prebend Lane Scheme in Welton to commence development in Autumn 2022.  The Scheme was a proposed partnership between Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and LACE Housing to provide Extra Care Housing for the anticipated demand in the West Lindsey district.

It was reported that LCC’s contribution towards the Prebend Lane Scheme would provide LCC with nomination rights for a period of 30 years on 20 of the 62 units due to be developed, using a process of first refusal with no void risk.  The Scheme would help provide alternative accommodation choice for older people and aim to maximise independence and improve wellbeing.  LCC’s contribution to the Scheme was on the condition that LACE Housing Limited acquired relevant approvals, obtained planning permission, and secured the additional funding required.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the comments following the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the report on 20 October 2021.  He reported that the Committee had welcomed and were supportive of the project and had highlighted the issue of better utilisation of the space and buildings of current local NHS hospitals in Lincolnshire and noted the continuing involvement of the County Council in the One Public Estate programme.

During discussion by the Executive, the following points were noted:

·       Extra care housing was a national initiative and was being rolled out across the country.

·       It was clarified that this scheme did not put the Council at financial risk by paying for empty rooms, as it would be purchasing nomination rights, with a process of first refusal.

·       The number of units the Council would purchase rights to was determined following discussions with LACE Housing and West Lindsey District Council around where there were funding gaps.  Applications for the units would be through an Integrated Panel approach.  Maximum benefit would be achieved when all 62 units were in use.

·       The per annum savings to the Council of this scheme were queried, as the costs of placing someone in residential care were around £700 per week, and further clarity around the savings was sought.

·       It was acknowledged that this scheme was also about people having a better quality of life.  Developments such as these would allow people to live independently for longer before entering residential care, which could lead to future cost avoidance in terms of care costs.

·       A query was raised regarding a risk that building costs may increase, and it was highlighted that the County Council was making a defined contribution of £1.6 million, and any risk in terms of an increase in the project’s capital costs would be borne by the developer.

RESOLVED

1.    That the payment of a sum of £1.6 million by way of grant from the Adult Care Capital Programme for Lincolnshire to LACE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.