ePetition details
Re-open restaurants at Potters Court and Erskine Court
The restaurants form a vital component of the “extra care” offered to people with disabilities living in these purpose built, buildings designed specifically to meet their needs.
The residents with the most significant disabilities will need the greatest help and be the most badly affected by this considerable change — but all the residents who used it have a care need and found it vital, not just for nourishment but also mental and emotional health.
All residents who used them will now need a reassessment from a social worker for their Care Plans. Some residents had two hot meals a day — breakfast and lunch, but are not able to prepare or cook food themselves. The letter the residents received from the Council insinuated that Housing Support Officers would be able to assist, but this is far too much work for them to do — legally they would need their care plans to be reassessed. (Some residents need their food delivered and/or cutting up and having someone wash up afterwards, for example.)
Ultimately, this is about helping the residents to maintain their independence, and to ensure quality of care, and their quality of life.
This ePetition ran from 13/10/2023 to 31/12/2023 and has now finished.
121 people signed this ePetition.
Council response
The catering contract for the restaurants at Erskine Court and Potters Court was due to end on the 31st October 2023. A decision was made not to renew the contract as we could no longer afford to subsidise this delivery model. After engagement with residents and following a number of enquiries from external catering companies, the contract was extended till 31st January 2024 to enable us to explore the viability of another restaurant offer within the constraints of the finances the council have available.
We are currently in a procurement process, in search for a new caterer and the closing date for application is on 23rd January 2024. We will review the applications alongside selected residents who will be an integral part of the selection process and we would like to thank residents for getting involved in the process of finding a new caterer.
During any transition period we will continue to support residents
with alternative food options.
The existing restaurant spaces will remain open 24/7 for residents to use.
News about the outcome of the on-site catering procurement
process will be announced as soon as a decision is made.