Below is a Reading and District Labour Party media release about the sudden stopping of an approved housing scheme that would have benefited reading elderly residents. Before the election the Tories made grand claims that they could make efficiency savings to cut the deficit. Doesn't look like efficiency savings to me and the elderly residents who stood to benefit from this project that would have generated jobs and finances on derelict land. What has Cllr Daisy Benson got to say about this?
Shock as approved housing scheme for 40 homes with care facilities
for the elderly on the former Avenue School site is stopped.
The Extra Care housing scheme on the former Avenue School site approved by the Labour Government can no longer go ahead as a result of the Coalition Government’s emergency budget. The scheme of 40 specially designed homes was approved earlier this year by the Labour Government with funding of £3.12m. (Background information about this is attached.)
Reading Borough Council received a letter at the end of last week to say that the scheme cannot now proceed. The Housing and Communities Agency (HCA) which is funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government has written to tell the Council that the scheme cannot now be built out under the Local Authority New Build programme.
The HCA recognises that the council has put in a significant amount of work that may now be abortive.
Mike Orton, Labour Group spokesperson on Community Care says,
“This news comes as a big shock. The scheme had been agreed. Stopping it now is very short-sighted and makes no sense at all socially, financially and economically. It is a massive blow to Reading’s future programme to improve social care.
“Many older people, including residents in sheltered housing and day centre users, were involved in the housing design.
“The new homes would enable people to live more independent lives as they get older. There would be care facilities on site and would provide an alternative to going into residential care. Local people have expressed a keen interest and spoken to me about how they can apply to live in the new homes.
“This scheme forms a major part of Labour’s future programme for elderly care in Reading. Scrapping it will lead to higher costs of care for the council in the near future.
“Also, as people move into these homes to plan for their future, larger houses would be made available for young families.”
The letter from the HCA says that there may be a possibility that the scheme can proceed under the overall national Affordable Housing programme although resources will remain constrained. This will involve additional work by the Council and it is unlikely that an answer will be given before the end of July at the earliest.
Mike Orton says,
“Cutting this scheme is very serious. The delay is bad enough but to cut it altogether will be a really hard and unnecessary blow to many elderly people and their families. It is vitally important that the council finds a way to rescue the scheme and get the homes built to the planned high standard as quickly as possible.”
ENDS
Background info:
£3.1Million Boost for Extra Care Housing in Reading
12/01/2010
Reading Borough Council Press Release
A new extra care housing scheme for over 55's is to be built in Reading, thanks to £3.1million of Government funding.
Reading Borough Council is using the funding to build a 40-unit extra care housing facility on the former Avenue School site on Basingstoke Road. This will be the first council owned and managed housing development to be built for a number of years.
The development will consist of 27 one-bedroom flats and 13 two-bedroom flats for rent. Work will begin on the scheme in May, with expected completion in November 2011.
Reading is one of only ten councils in the South East, and 73 in the country, to receive a share of £122.6million from Communities and Local Government, which is to be invested in building new Council homes.
Extra Care Housing is a new form of housing where residents can live independently in their own home with care and support facilities available on the site. It meets a range of needs and can provide an alternative to residential care for some older people.
The brand new accommodation will include communal areas with a restaurant, hobby rooms and a spa treatment area providing podiatry, hairdressing and other therapeutic services.
These facilities and a range of activities will be available to residents and older people living in the community.
There will also be private areas for residents only, including lounges, a roof terrace and a garden at the southern end of the scheme, where keen gardeners can practice their skills.
Consultation with older people including residents in sheltered housing and day centre clients has influenced the design of the scheme. Their suggestions included a BBQ area and raised flower/vegetable beds in the garden.
Future consultation will take place to allow choices to be made on colour options, furniture and fittings.
All of the flats will be self-contained with their own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, lounge and dining area.
The building will be wheelchair accessible and all residents will have access to on-site 24-hour care staff, but not everyone will need this service.
The site is close to local amenities and accessible by public transport, making it easy for residents to get out and about.
Mike Orton, Lead Councillor for Community Care, said: 'I'm delighted that Reading is getting more than £3million in funding. Care for the elderly is a top priority and this scheme will allow people to settle in and live independently in their own home.
'Extra care housing provides people with their own home and the reassurance that 24-hour care is available. This new scheme on the former Avenue School site will give a big boost to housing and care for people over 55 in Reading.'
Deborah Edwards, Lead Councillor for Housing, said: 'It's very exciting that Reading Borough Council has been given such a large share of this Government funding to build much needed homes.'
The contract for construction is currently out to tender. The successful contractor will be appointed in the next few weeks.
The councils whose bids for funding were successful were required to match any funding they received.
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