COUNCIL chiefs are pressing ahead with two pioneering supercare homes for elderly people in York – but have abandoned proposals for a third at Haxby.

City of York Council said it wants to create new homes at Burnholme in eastern York and Lowfield in the west, based on a European model with residents living in self-contained households.

Each household would contain a maximum of 12 residents and feature a kitchen and open plan communal spaces, as well as en suite bedrooms.

At Lowfield, there will also be a wider “community village” of 72 homes for older people, which would include a community hub featuring a café and activities room. Some residents would live independently but care support would be available, right through to end-of-life care.

The cabinet is being recommended to go out to tender for an external provider to design, build and run the two homes, although the council will retain ownership of the buildings and land.

Staff at the council’s existing “outdated” seven homes – which now look set to shut in 2016, when it is hoped the new homes will open – will be able to transfer to the new employer on the same terms and conditions under TUPE arrangements.

The authority no longer believes it needs to build a third super home on the site of the existing home at Haxby Hall, and the site will eventually be disposed of.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, cabinet member for adult social services, said she understood that people who currently lived or worked at Haxby Hall would be concerned about the decision not to replace it.

“We have assured them we will be working with them closely throughout this process of transition to ensure they are kept informed and their needs are met,” she said.

The total number of places provided will fall from the original target of 200 to 162, but Coun Simpson-Laing said new private care provision had been created in York since the initial plans were drawn up.

She pledged that the home at Burnholme would not affect playing fields at the school, which is closing down. The sports facilities would be upgraded as intended under a planning agreement for the nearby Derwenthorpe housing development.


Delay to cost £800,00 claim Lib Dems

THE LIBERAL Democrats claim delays in building the supercare homes will lead to an £800,000 black hole in the Labour council’s budget.

Spokeswoman Carol Runciman said that because the project was “late, over-budget and provided fewer beds than originally promised,” there would be a shortfall in adult social care, which would need to be covered by cuts or more borrowing. She claimed £800,000 in savings had been assumed in budgets for the next two years, that would now be lost.

Coun Simpson-Laing said: “The authority was at too early a stage for anyone to state precisely what the overall cost to the council would be, and when that cost would be incurred. “The council fully understands the financial pressures that are faced in providing care to older people and the budget it is working with.”