Agenda item

Housing Services – (C-001-2021-22) - This report sets a programme to renew the ‘look’ of the sheltered Housing communal areas, taking an interior design approach.

1.         The Cabinet approved the proposed renewal and remodelling of the communal areas of the Council’s sheltered housing schemes using Buckingham Interiors.  As a pilot in the first instance at Frank Bretton Court; and

2.         The Cabinet noted the method of funding would be based on a costed options appraisal using either leasing or borrowing against the HRA.  This was currently being carried out by Arlingclose. They noted that the full cost of the scheme would be covered via a service charge which was eligible for Housing Benefit subsidy. 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Councillor H Whitbread, introduced the report on the refurbishment scheme to for older persons sheltered housing.

Following the recent review from ARK and the Covid outbreak officers had reviewed what was important to residents.  One of the areas was the value of the communal lounges.  As such a programme was developed to renew the ‘look’ of the communal areas, taking an interior design approach.  It was important that this was undertaken in a cost-efficient manner and where residents had input. As such, officers had researched the options to refurbish the communal areas of the sheltered housing stock to include the upgrade of fixtures, fittings, and redecoration.  Officers had started work with an organisation called Buckingham Interiors, part of FRC Group which had been supplying contract furniture and associated services to the social housing sector for more than 30 years. Operating from three national distribution sites, and with a team of over 120 staff, FRC Group held contracts for furniture supply, ranging from specialist services such as dementia friendly schemes to housing for people with support needs.  In addition, they worked with temporary housing and homelessness services, local welfare response services and furnished tenancies. Their customers included Birmingham City Council, Manchester City Council and the AGMA group of local authorities, Places for People Group, Optivo, Torus, North Tyneside Council, Thirteen, Citizen, Orbit, Network Homes, EMH Group, Cheltenham Borough Homes, Nottingham City Homes, Stroud District Council and many others.

Officers recognised the impact Covid had on residents, particularly around those who have not been able to go out for many months.  The remodelling of the lounge would provide a renewed feel to the scheme and would have many social benefits.  Officers also planned to approach partners with the aim of making the sheltered housing schemes a hub so that older people living in the local community could access activities held at the scheme.

Councillor Patel asked if we were looking at altering the spaces as well. Also, would the replacement furniture be fire retardant; and how would we incorporate principles in making the environment dementia friendly? And finally, how much of a choice did the residents have over the colours scheme. He was told that they were not only looking at modernising the furniture but also changing the spaces and making things more accessible. As for fire retardant materials, this was something that had been taken into account as a standard consideration. It was also important to ensure that our places were dementia friendly. As for the colour scheme, residents would have a choice, they will be given a choice from two mood boards and a range of furniture, to choose what they wanted.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse asked if they were talking about all communal areas, such as lounges, hallways and kitchens etc. or specifically about residents’ lounges.  Would other issues such as storage space or access to plugs etc. be taken into account and their fitness for the future. And, was there only one suitable supplier for this service, surely we can go to any supplier once we have the budget to purchase furniture or services needed. He was told that they were looking mainly at the lounges and the main communal spaces, but they were also looking at the other spaces and taking a more holistic view of the spaces. As for  the supplier; this supplier had a good track record for delivering such services throughout the country in sheltered housing schemes. D Fenton added that they had looked at a couple of frameworks and this company had come top in each as they had delivered successful projects across the UK. They were also part of the Social Enterprise and so support a lot of young people who work for them and lead fulfilled lives.

Decision:

1.         The Cabinet approved the proposed renewal and remodelling of the communal areas of the Council’s sheltered housing schemes using Buckingham Interiors.  As a pilot in the first instance at Frank Bretton Court; and

2.         The Cabinet noted the method of funding would be based on a costed options appraisal using either leasing or borrowing against the HRA.  This was currently being carried out by Arlingclose. They noted that the full cost of the scheme would be covered via a service charge which was eligible for Housing Benefit subsidy. 

Reason for decision:

Members were being asked to approve the renewal of fixtures and fittings at our schemes beginning with a pilot at Frank Bretton House, this was important as it fits with our social recovery work and a report had already been to Overview and Security(O&S) for review

Options considered and rejected:

Officers considered whether to carry out a smaller scale upgrade, however this was rejected due the importance of providing a communal area which was bright and flexible.  Especially given Covid and the need for our vulnerable tenants to meet and socialise indoors.