Meeting documents

Cabinet
Tuesday, 19th November, 2013 2.00 pm

Place:
(Special Meeting) Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
504 Apologies for absence.
 There were no apologies for absence.
505 Declarations of interest.
 There were no declarations of interest.
506 Outcome of the formal consultation and recommendations for the future of Delaware House, Priory House and Priory Day Centre
Business for item 506
Resolved:-

1. That the responses from the formal public consultation (as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report) and views of the People Scrutiny Committee, be noted.

2. That, in principle, a partnership be established with the independent sector to develop a dedicated dementia facility, preferably on the Delaware House site, or other suitable site. Delaware House will continue to run as a Council-operated facility (subject to assisting with any transfers from Priory House) until the proposed new facility is developed.

3. That, in principle (subject to collective consultation with the trade unions), Priory House be closed over the next 18 months on a phased basis to ensure residents and relatives have time to look for alternative accommodation, if needed, and supported to do so. In the event of illness, distress or other significant factors, some flexibility may be applied to this timescale.

4. That no further admissions be permitted to Priory House.

5. That if any vacancies occur in Delaware House, residents at Priory House who have acute dementia would have the opportunity to move to Delaware House.

6. That, subsequently, if any further vacancies occur in Delaware House, any other residents of Priory House be given the opportunity to move to Delaware House. All consideration where possible to be given where residents form friendships with residents around them, that these stay intact, if that is their wish.

7. That a formal review of Priory Day Centre be undertaken to ascertain the future provision for this service. A report on the outcome would be made to Cabinet during 2014.

8. That the identified on-going savings of circa £540,000 be used as part of the savings needed to balance the 2014/15 Budget. Also, that the one-off costs of transitioning Priory House to full closure be met from the Business Transformation Reserve.

9. That a collective formal consultation with all staff and unions be commenced in early 2014 as to how staff could be affected. Appropriate posts in the Talent Pool would be ring-fenced from now to give staff affected a chance to continue working for the Council where possible.

10. That the above recommendations be referred direct to the People Scrutiny Committee on 26th November 2013.

Reasons for Decision

1. To provide a strategy for providing quality care for older people in a sustainable manner having regard to the views expressed in the consultation process.

2. To develop high-quality dementia facilities for the residents of Southend-on-Sea for the future.

3. To provide better value for money and minimise financial risks for the Council.

Other Options

As set out in the submitted report.

Note:- This is an Executive Function
Referred direct to People Scrutiny Committee
Executive Councillor: Salter
14:00/14:40

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor N Holdcroft (Chairman)
Councillors J I Courtenay, T Cox, J M Garston, D J Jarvis, J L Lamb, A J Moring, L P Salter
In attendance:
R Tinlin, S Holland, S Leftley, A Lewis, A Atherton, J Williams, J Chesterton, I Ambrose, C Cranfield and Colin Gamble

Also present: Councillors Crystall, A P Jones, Kaye and Woodley

Business

ItemBusiness
506The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People presenting the outcomes and findings of the formal public consultation on the proposals for the future of Delaware House, Priory House and Priory Day Centre.

At the meeting of Council held on 17th October 2013, Members had considered a petition in respect of Priory House and an associated report. The petition was referred to the People Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet to be considered in the context of the decision to be made on Priory House. A further petition relating to both Priory House and Delaware House was presented to Council and referred to the People Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet for consideration in the context of the future of both care homes.

On consideration of the report, a number of questions were asked by members of the Cabinet on the following matters:

- Lawfulness of the consultation process
- The next steps in respect of Delaware House
- The long-term plan to improve residential care for those with dementia
- Quality of care in the independent sector
- The effects of the proposed closure of Priory House on residents, day service and staff

A full response to each of the questions was given by the relevant Council officer.

The Leader of the Council expressed his gratitude to those Members of the Council and the supporting officers who had contributed to the review. He also thanked members of the public for their input into the process, particularly those who had made written representations.

 

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