Issue - meetings

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to consider a petition and Motion, referred to Cabinet from Council, concerning the potential closure of the Sheltered Housing Scheme at Langley Court and Langley Close, St Ives.

Recommended to Council:

(a)  that paragraph (a) of the Motion be noted;

(b)  that, having regard to the advice of Councillors representing St Ives and to evidence which suggests that the majority of Langley Court residents have clearly indicated their willingness to move, it is in the best interests of the residents to ensure that necessary steps are taken, at the earliest opportunity to resettle them; and

(c)  that, following investigations, Langley Court is considered to be the most appropriate site for the extra care home.

(The Chairman announced that he proposed to admit the following urgent item in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 given its referral from Council, which met after the Cabinet agenda was despatched, and the scope to link to the Loan request from Luminus (Minute No. 52 refers)).

(Councillors J W Davies, R Fuller and Mrs D C Reynolds, local Ward Members, were in attendance and spoke on this item.)

The Cabinet gave consideration to a petition presented to Council on 13th November 2013, concerning the potential closure of the Sheltered Housing Scheme at Langley Court and Langley Close, St Ives together with a Motion by Councillor K J Churchill on the matter which had been referred, by the Council to the Cabinet.  (the text of the petition and motion is reproduced in the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services appended in the Minute Book).

By way of introduction, the Executive Leader explained that he and local ward members had met with residents of Langley Court to discuss their concerns over proposals by Luminus to demolish the building in order to build an extra-care facility. At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillors Davies, Fuller and Mrs Reynolds addressed the Cabinet.  They expressed reservations over the contents of the Motion given the need for extra care facilities in the town and the measures being offered by Luminus to support those affected.  The local Ward Members acknowledged that improvements could have been made in the way the scheme was communicated to residents.  As a result, residents had been left confused and anxious about their future.  However, it was now Members’ understanding that existing residents would be rehoused locally and given the opportunity to return to the new facility. Furthermore, it was suggested that the majority of Langley Court residents have now indicated their willingness to move.

In considering the information before them, Executive Councillors concurred with the views of the Ward Councillors and stressed that the new facility would provide additional care provisions for the district including specialist accommodation.  Having noted that the other element of the Motion would be addressed when considering a later item of business (Minute No.52 refers) and on the basis that the following does not prejudice the formal determination of the planning application for the development should one be forthcoming, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  the Council is recommended:

(a)  that paragraph (a) of the Motion be noted;

(b)  that, having regard to the advice of Councillors representing St Ives and to evidence which suggests that the majority of Langley Court residents have clearly indicated their willingness to move, it is in the best interests of the residents to ensure that necessary steps are taken, at the earliest possible opportunity to resettle them; and

(c)  that, following investigations, Langley Court is considered to be the most appropriate site for the extra care home.