To approve the capital budget of £198,509 to create the Independent Living Demonstration and Assessment Centre.

This report contains information which describes the justification for continuing the development of the Independent Living Demonstration and Assessment Centre. 

That:

(a)       The full budget of £198,509 is approved to progress with the works needed to deliver the Independent Living Demonstration and Assessment Centre;

(b)  The Director for Adults and Communities be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations and spend within the approved budget of £198,509.  As outlined in Para.27 of this report.  All procurements will be in line with the council’s contract procedure rules.

1.         Over the course of several years other options have been considered for the Centre.  These include:

·         Leasing an alternative site within Hereford City Centre.  This would have provided a good, accessible location, but at the time this was investigated this would have incurred a revenue cost for rent, and would have presented a risk that the lease could have been terminated at short notice;

·         A mobile solution, but this would only be suitable for showcasing smaller items and would not be able to showcase large equipment and adaptations, although it would mean that the service could be offered in different areas of the county;

·         Other Council owned properties.  None were deemed suitable, with the exception of one.  Significant work went into scoping the use of a residential Council owned property in need of significant refurbishment.  The budget was not sufficient and a number of compromises would have had to be overcome to utilise the space and make it suitable and accessible;

·         Purchase another suitable building and install equipment and adaptations – it would cost more to purchase an additional building than the budget which has been allocated.

2.         Do nothing - not recommended.  By doing nothing we miss the opportunity to move service delivery forward by ensuring that people receive the correct advice for their current and future needs, as well as a timely assessment for equipment and adaptations.  Also the opportunity to move the technology enabled care agenda forward, by demonstrating how equipment will be used in a real world setting.  By doing nothing, the service would continue to incur costs of hiring space at the hospital for bathing clinic.  However, if the project does not proceed, the costs of converting the space at Hillside, and the running costs once the Centre is opened will not be incurred.