Agenda item

To seek approval for the schemes to be modernised in 2022/23 and to provide Committee with a brief update on the progress of the modernisation programme.

The Project Manager introduced the report and explained that it consisted of two sections, the first included a programme update on ongoing works and the second included the next set of IL schemes proposed for modernisation in the next financial year.

He then gave a brief update on section one which included:

·       The work at Vizard close had been completed in November 2021 within budget and on schedule.

·       Work on Jenner Court commenced immediately afterwards and was on target to be completed in March 2022.

·       Despite the effects of Covid and additional strains on supply costs and materials, the project had continued to be delivered on target and within budget.

He then informed the Committee that the Independent Living Modernisation Steering Group, which was made up of Senior Managers and Service Heads, were looking to make tenant consultation an ongoing process even after the review of the Older Persons Strategy Action Plan had been completed.

The Project Manager concluded with a summary of section two of the report which included:

• 3 Independent Plus Schemes and 4 Community Hubs would undergo modernisation by the end of March 2022.
• The Hub Coordinator and the Volunteer Coordinator had been doing excellent work promoting the activities taking place in the Community Hubs.
• They had received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both tenants and outside bodies regarding the Community Hubs.
• Grange View in Stroud, Uplands was proposed for the next wave of modernisation and would become a Hub.
• Burdett House in Stonehouse and Hamfallow Court in Newtown were also proposed for modernisation into Independent Plus in the next financial year.

Councillor Miles questioned whether the finance had been set aside for the whole of the programme or if it would need to be revisited at some point in the future. The Project Manager confirmed that there had been a budget set out for the entire programme.

Councillor Fryer questioned whether a few IL tenants could be included on the Steering Group for further tenant involvement. The Project Manger confirmed he would raise that in the next meeting.

Councillor Schoemaker questioned what the net benefit was with regards to the units that had been built and the units that had been demolished. The Project Manager confirmed that there were 16 units lost at Cambridge House and 13 Proposed Units to be built however, the majority of the demolished units were bedsits and the proposed units were 2/3 bed houses. That meant an initial loss of units however, a greater capacity to house more people. 

The Chair confirmed that there was a lot of work being put into grading the schemes red, amber and green. Cambridge house had been graded as red due to the condition of the site and the difficulty with letting the bedsits. There had also been a need identified for more family housing in the area as demand for one bedroom accommodation had been sufficient.

Councillor Schoemaker proposed and Councillor Hynd seconded.

Councillors Miles, Jockel and Schoemaker all showed support for the report. 

After being put to a Vote, the motion was carried unanimously.