NEWS RELEASE

 

6 May 04

 

Plans for new Elderly People’s Care Centres in B&NES unveiled

 

Bigger buildings with better services than originally planned are included in the new plans for the Elderly Persons Homes to be discussed at the next meeting of Bath & North East Somerset Council on Thursday May 13.

 

Somer Community Housing Trust have joined the Council as partners in the scheme which has meant that land next to the sites originally identified in Keynsham and Midsomer Norton can be included. 

 

This extra land has allowed PRP Architects to develop the buildings giving greater flexibility to the whole scheme – allowing improved services to be offered to residents.

 

The consultation and detailed planning has shown that the new services must be able to meet the increased demand of very physically dependent elderly people and those with dementia.  This means the buildings have to be flexible and adaptable and last well into the future.

 

At the meeting on Thursday (May 13) Councillors will also be asked to consider the opportunity to establish three brand new purpose built day centres for elderly people on the sites. 

 

These would be used by elderly people in the local areas and would, therefore, bring wider community benefits.  The Primary Care Trust is also keen to offer some community health services from these Day Centres, both for residents and the wider community.

 

“We have a real opportunity to make a huge difference to those elderly people in greatest need, both now and in the future. We must be sure that the investment we make now will be as flexible and sustainable as possible, there won’t be a second chance,” said Cllr Francine Haeberling, Executive Member for Social Services.

 

Councillors will also be asked to approve a range of options, from increased room sizes to purpose built day centres.

 

Of course, all improvements come at a price and if all the enhancements are agreed the cost of the new provision will be up to £26.266 million. The Council’s contribution will be £18.863 million which includes the reinvestment of all money received from the sale of its existing 7 homes. There is also the potential to secure additional capital funding from other sources which would reduce this figure if successful.

 

The Council's Constructor Partner, Leadbitter, have committed to the overall budget. This has provided the council with confidence in the robustness of the budgeted capital cost for delivering this programme of works.

 

The overall budget includes a significant allowance for construction contingencies and additional risks to the Council.  Any adaptations (improvements or reductions) to the scheme will have an effect on the budget.  Final costs can only be determined once designs and approvals have been met and a building contract secured.  Some ongoing costs will be reduced once the homes are open and running.

 

Details of the options to be considered at the Council meeting are given in the Council Agenda papers.

 

For comment please contact:

Councillor Francine Haeberling, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Social Services. Tel: (01225) 872199 Mob 07980 998861

 

For further contact:

Jane Ashman, Director of Social and Housing Services. Tel: (01225) 477810

Jane Shayler, Head of Housing and Supported Living. Tel: (01225) 396120

 

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