Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve Together Housing to demolish the Resource Centre on the Oaktrees site.

2.    Approve Together Housing to repurpose the land into an enclosed communal garden with seating and two additional car parking spaces, for the exclusive use of tenants.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update and the next steps in relation to the Resource Centre at the Oaktrees site, previously an Extra Care Housing Scheme. Due to significant fire safety concerns which were deemed unviable to remediate, Cabinet had made the decision to permanently close the site in September 2023.  The report sought approval for Together Housing to demolish the existing building and repurpose the land, to create an outdoor asset for tenants.

Whilst Together Housing owned the Resource Centre, the Council had legal responsibilities in relation to the future of buildings as it owned the land and continued to support 13 tenancies on a responsive basis, staffed through a 24/7 satellite model of provision. 4 households opted out of the support and 2 households had moved into properties since they were reclassified as general need for older people.

Two options for consideration had been identified, including repurposing the land into additional communal garden space and/or additional car parking for tenants of the bungalows. Options proposed were based on minimising the maintenance costs and the impact this would have on tenant service charges, which formed part of the gross rent costs.

Together Housing, with support from the Council, had continued to engage with tenants since 2020 to ensure regular updates were provided. All current tenants were invited to formal consultation led by Together Housing on the future use of the land. Tenants were content with the proposal to demolish the Resource Centre and fed back on the proposed options for the future use of the land.

The options consulted on were set out in paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of the report. 16 out of the 19 tenancies fed back and 15 preferred option 2 which was to have a garden with seating and 2 car parking spaces.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.      Approve Together Housing to demolish the Resource Centre on the Oaktrees site.

2.      Approve Together Housing to repurpose the land into an enclosed communal garden with seating and 2 additional car parking spaces, for the exclusive use of tenants.