Agenda item

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing outlining options on Holcroft House.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 23/24 37963)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing, having taken into account the recommendations received from Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee at the meeting held on 14^th September 2023 (detailed below) and having received representations from Hayley Garner, Unite Branch Secretary, Chris Hodgson and Lisa Stead representatives of Holcroft residents and their families and a written statement from Tim Forester-Morgan, Dementia Specialist:

Recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

i)  That, for the Cabinet meeting on 19 September, clarity is provided around the specific works that have been identified as being required that have necessitated the increase in both the costs of the project and the timescales involved.

ii)  That the questions raised by Unite relating to Holcroft House are circulated to the Committee.

iii)  That the Committee are provided with written clarification with regards to the suggestion that resources may have been transferred from the Holcroft House budget to support the maintenance of the Glen Lee building.

iv)  That the Committee are provided with an audit trail of the decision made by the Cabinet Member to halt the fire safety remediation works in January 2023.  The audit trail should include the forum for the decision, and how the decision was made. 

Cabinet accepted and agreed action on all the recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee listed above. 

Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To relocate residents to alternative permanent accommodation that is compliant with fire safety requirements and to close Holcroft House as a care home.

(ii)  Subject to the approval of (i) above, to delegate authority to the Executive Director Wellbeing & Housing, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing, to take all further and consequential actions to implement the recommendation.

(iii)  To note that a further report on the future of the property will be brought to Cabinet in due course.