Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Christine Jones introduced the Holywell Extra Care report which provided a comprehensive evidence base for the facility development in Holywell. 

The report also provided details of the background to Extra Care and its cost effectiveness.  Also outlined was information on how the Extra Care proposal for Holywell fitted into the Flintshire Extra Care provision and worked with the existing Residential Care to address some of the demand concerns raised by the Flintshire Residential Care Review which was published in April 2016.

The Extra Care schemes in Shotton (Llys Eleanor) and Mold (Llys Jasmine) had been very successful but remained oversubscribed and popular. They were seen to provide a supported accommodation solution that exceeded other forms of provision such as residential care.

Councillor Jones explained that Flintshire’s population of older people was expected to rise significantly over the next five years, with the numbers of those aged 80 and over projected to rise by 23%. The number of those aged 65-79 with dementia was also expected to rise by 22%.  Those groups were statistically the most likely of the populations demographic to need support in a residential care or nursing setting.  Projecting that increase against current demand for residential care and EMI residential care would result in 119 more placements than the authority had currently in supply.

The Council had worked in partnership with Wales and West Housing Association in order to identify an appropriate site for development, with planning and consultation processes now being underway.  The proposed site was Ysgol Perth Y Terfyn primary school in Holywell, which was due to be vacated in July 2016 to move into the new Holywell school complex in September.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) added that a design had been produced for a 4 storey, 50 unit development on the site which would accommodate 60 residents in 39 1-bed apartments and 11 2-bed apartments.

The estimated costs and funding strategy were outlined in the report for the five years 2017/18 – 2021/22.

The Chief Executive welcomed the report adding that it was an example of where the Authority was making a shrewd investment for a critical resource to meet demand.

In response to a question from Councillor Bithell, the Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that allocations were determined by a Joint Panel which Flintshire had representatives on.  He agreed that there was a high demand for Extra Care which was why a further scheme was being recommended for approval.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the demand for Extra Care in Holywell be accepted; and

(b)       That the development of Extra Care in Holywell be approved.