Decisions

This decision record sets out the key information for publication on the decision by the Executive Director for Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnerships to approve expenditure for a Your Fund Surrey project located in Reigate and Banstead. The agreed recommendations are set out below and details of the project are set out in a decision report attached as an Annexe to this record.

It was AGREED to:

Fund the full amount requested of £79,749, comprised of:

Adult Social Care’s Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy (AwCS) was approved by Cabinet in July 2019, the strategy sets out the Council’s ambition to develop 725 affordable units of Extra Care Housing in Surrey by 2030. 

Development of the former Orchard Care Home, former Birchlands Care Home and Colebrook sites for Extra Care Housing Provision via the Design Build Finance Operate (DBFO) supply model was approved by Cabinet at the following meeting:

·       July 2023 – Extra Care Housing – Phase 2 Delivery - Minute Ref 120/23

Approval to procure a development partner for Extra Care Housing sites was granted by Cabinet via the 2023/2024 Annual Procurement Forward Plan (Minute Ref 206/22).

Decision made:

It was agreed that the council shall proceed to award Contracts for the purposes of developing Extra Care Housing schemes on the former Orchard Care Home, former Birchlands Care Home and Colebrook sites.

As part of the Surrey Homes for Surrey Children Strategy it was agreed that a programme of purchasing up to 9 homes be established to convert into new Children’s Homes for Surrey children.  Cabinet agreed to the proposal and Corporate Programme Panel approved the methodology for managing the programme and purchase of properties.

The programme has been progressing to identify, assess and consider suitable properties across Surrey, and currently there are two homes under offer- in Farnham. 

The appropriate teams have carried out due diligence checks and the decision is to proceed with the purchase of the property identified in Farnham. 

The new home will provide 4 spaces for children with High Needs (social, emotional and mental health) as part of the programme. 

During the due diligence process a number of covenants were identified on the Farnham property.  This is not uncommon on larger houses in Surrey.  At this property they relate to maintaining fences to the boundary, roof coverings, and only having one building on site that is used for dwelling- other buildings on site can be used for workshops.   These have been investigated and the risks assessed and mitigated.

There will also be a need to change the planning designation of the property from C3- Dwelling House to C2- Residential Institution.  This will require a planning application to be determined.  If this application is not successful, the property would need to be re-sold.  Although the sale income would revert to the overall programme there would be some loss to the council as Stamp Duty Land Tax and fees incurred in the acquisition would not be recoverable.

The assessed risks and mitigations have been considered by CLT and approval given to proceed with the purchase.

Decision made:

1. It was AGREED that the identified property in Farnham be purchased for use as a Children’s Home within the Surrey Homes for Surrey Children Strategic Approach.