Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Services is attached.

Councillor Clare Cummins, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, presented the report which sought approval to dispose of The Elms in Whitefield for the delivery of an independent living scheme for the over 55’s subject to procurement, to facilitate delivery of the Housing Strategy and generate savings to adult social care budgets. Councillor Cummins confirmed that commissioning partners had been fully involved, and thanked the Adult Social Care and Housing teams for their effective co-working. Councillors praised the scheme, welcoming the disposal of the old site and the proposed new facility.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved the proposals for the disposal and redevelopment of The Elms as set out within this report, to expedite delivery of the priorities within the Housing Strategy; and

2.    Requested a report back to Cabinet on the offers received with a recommendation as to the preferred bidder.

Reasons for the decision:

·         To facilitate the Councils ‘brownfield first’ approach to housing delivery and reduce revenue costs for holding, maintaining and securing long-term disused sites.

·         The delivery of much needed, affordable homes for older people to reduce the need for more costly interventions and relieve pressures on housing waiting lists.

·         Considerable benefits in health and community care with substantial savings on out of borough placements and the Council’s adult social care budgets.

·         Creation wider social, environmental, and financial benefits including additional council tax revenue and the potential to generate a capital receipt.

Other options considered and rejected:

·         Do nothing: Bury has high levels of need for affordable housing for older people and supply is required in the marketplace immediately. This is a brownfield site in an area of high demand which is suitable for affordable housing for this cohort, to do nothing would not be an option.

·         A range of alternative housing options were considered as part of the feasibility study undertaken – a number were discounted based on the assessment criteria utilised to arrive at the preferred option.