Issue - meetings

Consider report by Service Director Assets and Infrastructure.  (Copy attached.)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Assets and Infrastructure on the prioritised investment requirements in the care home estate, with the exception of Deanfield in Hawick which had already been approved by Council, for consideration as part of the forthcoming financial planning process 2020/21.  The report set out the current condition, the capital upgrade requirements and the annual revenue budget required to maintain the interior and exterior fabric of the Council’s Care Homes to an appropriate standard.  The investment proposed would not only improve the quality of the homes but would extend their useful lifespan in the medium term.  The report demonstrated that a capital investment of approximately £1.52m would be required to maintain the interior and exterior of the four remaining homes to bring them up to an appropriate standard.  It also indicated that ideally a revenue budget of £1600 per bed per annum would be required to maintain the homes to that standard, which would be in line with typical industry standards.    The Care Home estate consisted of five homes located in Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Innerleithen and Kelso.  The facilities were opened during the 1960’s and 1970’s with the most modern ones opening in the 1980’s.  A full condition survey had been undertaken on all the Care Homes which had identified that over the next five years a significant number of works would be required to bring them up to an appropriate standard.   The Care Home estate required investment to improve its current condition.   Conditions across the estate varied, for example, fixture and fittings throughout were aged, kitchens were in need of replacement or doors and windows required replacement.  Decoration was required both internally and externally.  Individual bedrooms and bathrooms/ensuites may require complete overhaul to meet modern care standards or new furniture may be required throughout.  The investment required included appropriate elements of the building fabric, plant, plumbing and wiring.  Prior to discussion, the Chief Executive commented on a recent inaccurate press report on care homes which had been published without any comment being sought from the Council and caused unnecessary concern for clients and their families.  The Service Director confirmed that no emergency works were required and all care homes were currently fit for purpose and that these works were required to keep them at an acceptable standard.  Councillor Haslam proposed that recommendation (c) be amended to add the words “be considered as part of the budget process” and this was unanimously accepted.  Members welcomed the report.

DECISION

AGREED:-

(a)     to note the current condition of the Care Home Estate;

(b)     the requirement to prioritise capital investment in the estate to bring it up to an appropriate standard and that this would be considered as part of the capital financial planning process for 2020/21 and future years; and

(c)     that the requirement for an annual revenue budget of typically £1,600/bed/annum to maintain the properties at that appropriate standard be considered as part of the budget process.