Issue - meetings

To consider the results of the public consultation on proposed changes, and the proposals in the Business Case. 

(A copy of the full petition is available on request and will be available at the meeting).

Consideration was given to the results of the public consultation on proposed changes to enhance facilities and to transfer some day and short break services, the aim of which was to improve services and match supply with demand.  The report included a detailed business case for the proposals made now made.

In developing the final proposals it was stressed that Officers had been proactive in their engagement with the community, had listened to the wide range of opinions expressed by the public during the consultation, and had incorporated them where practicable into the final recommendations; this included a full debate on the petition from KafKa (Knutsford Action for Knutsford Area) by the Council at its meeting on 23 February 2012.

The Adult Services Portfolio Holder gave a detailed resume of the process leading to the proposals now under consideration, the aim being to provide the best possible level of adult social care provision with facilities that were fit for this day and age, that those services were affordable, sustainable and in the right places. 

Councillors welcomed the very comprehensive consultation exercise that had been carried out and thanked both the Officers concerned and the public for their extensive involvement.  All the responses received during the consultation exercise had been looked at in depth as evidenced by the time it took to analyse and evaluate them, and to the changes made to the original proposals.

RESOLVED

1. That the importance be recognised of ensuring that the outcome of the public consultation was carefully considered in the evaluation of the proposals in the business case. 

2. That approval be given to the recommendations in the business case (Appendix B of the report) summarised along with the key considerations as follows:

KNUTSFORD/WILMSLOW/POYNTON

Overall 23 options were considered. There was additional consultation specifically related to the Knutsford developments and the original proposal to close the Stanley Centre and to re-provide locally has been modified to retain local services whilst releasing Stanley House.  Work continues to engage with Health regarding future opportunities with local development on the Bexton Court site.

a)     Invest in new Changing Places facilities and enhanced lifestyle facilities at Wilmslow Leisure Centre;

b)     Separate the Stanley Centre from Stanley House and make improvements to bathroom facilities. This will permit Stanley House to be returned to the corporate landlord property pool whilst retaining local Learning Disability day care facilities;

c)      Confirm the permanent closure of Bexton Court acknowledging that local demand for dementia respite is adequately provided for by the independent sector.  Work with partners from Health to assess the future usage of the site;

a)     Invest in modifications to Redesmere to develop it as a multi purpose centre and permit the transfer of Learning Disability day care services from Dean Row.  Subsequently to declare Dean Row surplus to requirements and return it to the corporate landlord property pool.  The longer term goal is to move as soon as possible towards an integrated service which includes an integrated SMART, Frontline and Independent Living Centre (ILC)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121