Agenda item

(To receive a report from Emma Rowitt, Senior Project Manager - Corporate Property, which invites the Committee to consider and comment on a report to commence development on the Prebend Lane Scheme in autumn 2022, which is the subject of a decision by the Executive on 2 November)

Prior to the report being presented, the Committee resolved that:

In accordance with Section 100 (A)(3) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting as the information due to be discussed was considered to be exempt information as contained in part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Following a discussion, the Committee then moved back into public session and welcomed back the Press and Public for the remainder of the meeting.

­12:25 – Councillor R Wright left the meeting and did not return.

Consideration was then given to a report by the Head of Integration and Transformation, which invited the Committee to consider a report on the Extra Care Housing development at Prebend Lane Welton with LACE Housing Limited, which was due to be considered by the Executive on the 2 November 2021.

The scheme which would operate between Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and LACE Housing Limited to provide Extra Care Housing for the anticipated demand in the West Lindsey district.

The report recommended that a further £1.6 million of the remaining £7.044 million designated capital programme budget be released to enable the Prebend Lane Scheme in Welton to commence development in autumn 2022, in which LCC would have 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 sought to provide alternative accommodation choice for older people and aim to maximise independence and improve wellbeing. LCC's contribution to the Prebend Lane Scheme would be on the condition that LACE Housing Limited acquired relevant approvals, obtains planning permission, and secured the additional funding required.

The investment would look to save £57,000 a year in terms of reduced outcare costs which would mean a return investment in year 23 out of the 30 year programme.

The Executive Councillor for expressed her enthusiasm for the project as an additional extra care scheme for Lincolnshire.

Members considered the report and during the discussion the following points were noted:

·       Extra Care Housing provided individual units and communal space that would reduce the risk of social isolation. Extra care housing was a form of specialist housing and was not formally defined, as it could include a range of support provided to individuals.

• All had their own housing agreement and had made a choice to live in an extra care housing development.
• The length of time that people spent in extra care housing was dependent on the level of need of the individual, but it was usually the case that people lived in extra care housing considerably longer than those going into care homes.
• Unlike people entering residential care, people who lived in specialist housing, such as extra care hosing, had rights as they owned or rented extra their property in extra care housing facilities.
• The proposed communal dining area would likely be a dining room with a lounge area, but the level of provision would be determined by the residents of each extra care housing scheme.
• The council had worked with and contracted services by LACE Housing many times on a range of projects across the County.
• The rented units would be targeted to people in Lincolnshire that would otherwise not be able to afford private extra care housing facilities.
• The rental properties would not be subject conditions set out in the Governments Right to Buy scheme.
• Further extra care developments were being considered, subject to further agreement, for Boston, Horncastle, Market Deeping and Spalding, each with the involvement of the relevant district council. Schemes were already progressing in Lincoln and Sleaford, after previous approvals.
• The figure of 20 hours a week of extra care had been seen to represent the needs of all those housed in extra care facilities. The package could be tailored to provide a range of support needs for each individual.
• The Committee welcomed the opportunity utilise the Council's to One Public Estate programme to provide further opportunities for extra care housing which would relieve the pressure on other services. It was confirmed that LCC were in regular discussion with NHS colleagues regarding the potential for similar opportunities across Lincolnshire.
• The Committee unanimously supported the scheme and welcomed further additions and the expansion of the Council's Extra Care Housing in future.

RESOLVED:

1)      That the recommendations to the Executive be supported;

2)      That a summary of the comments made be passed on to the Executive as part of their consideration of this item.