Council confirms decision not to go ahead with care home replacements
The Highland Council confirmed today (Thursday) that it will not be proceeding with plans to build five new care homes – at Fort William, Grantown, Inverness, Muir of Ord and Tain.
After a lengthy debate and vote, it was agreed that, given the extreme financial constraints, the estimated investment of £30 million in the new homes did not represent best value at this time.
In a vote that was won by 52 votes to 25 votes, Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of Housing and Social Work, said the Council will care for older people in the localities and will action alternative proposals which could include:
The Council will also develop a new quality assurance scheme for independent sector care placements.
It further agreed that £5 million should be allocated in its 5-year capital programme for improvements to care homes.
Council Leader Councillor Michael Foxley said that: “There will be no immediate changes in the operation of any of the Council Homes in these areas a result of the decision not to go ahead with the new buildings. Residents in the five homes, which were due to be replaced, will remain where they are. A detailed assessment will be made of care needs in the five areas served by the Homes and reports presented to the Housing and Social Work Committee at a later date. Different solutions will be found for each Home. The aim of the Council is to provide the best possible service for older people.”
Councillor Davidson added: “Given the dire budget restraints facing the Council, we have no option but to set aside the intention to build five new homes. I can assure the public our commitment is to provide the best care available, and that includes residential care. While we know that older people wish to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, we also know that some will wish to be looked after in residential care at some point in their lives.”
She underlined the Council’s commitment to care homes, highlighting the £5.5 million already invested in upgrading nine of the Council’s rural care homes and the further £5 million allocated to upgrading care homes over the next five years.