Proposed by Councillor Chris Blakeley

Seconded by Councillor Bruce Berry

Council notes that its decision to close Girtrell Court was predicated on choice for service users and not a budgetary saving as originally stated.

Council further notes that Labour Councillors voted to close Girtrell Court based on information provided by DASS that stated, of the 105 service users, only 55 service users wanted to continue with bed based respite, and the remaining 50 had chosen other options and venues.

However, in recent weeks, it has become clear that 82 service users wish to transfer from Girtrell Court to the alternative provision in Tollemache Road, with the potential for a further 11 service users, who have currently declined the service, but who we are told remain eligible to move over to the alternative provision, giving a potential total of 93 service users.

Council notes that Girtrell Court is a 20 bed, single floor, bespoke, respite centre, which provides 13 respite beds, 2 emergency beds and 5 placement breakdown beds. The alternative provision will comprise a 10 bed unit over three floors, providing 9 respite beds with 1 bed being available, part of the year, as an emergency bed, with no provision for placement breakdown. 

Council further notes that service users have been informed, in a document provided by Sanctuary Supported Living that some of the respite is subject to short notice cancellation before, or cancellation during, respite. Therefore Council does not believe this alternative is 'equal to or better than' that currently provided at Girtrell Court.

Council now accepts it made the wrong decision, based on incorrect information, when proposing to close Girtrell Court.

Council therefore:

(a)  resolves to apologise to service users for the distress and trauma it has caused them;

(b)  instructs officers to halt the closure programme for Girtrell Court, work with Sanctuary Supported Living to provide and operate a 20 bed facility at Girtrell Court and, invest £1 million capital in the excellent bespoke facility that is Girtrell Court.

Amendment

One amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Alan Brighouse

Insert new para after original paragraph three:

The requests for services at Tollemache Road should be examined in order to determine whether the need for additional periods of respite exceeds the places there. Council needs to establish whether there are unmet needs that are not being accommodated in the range of services developed here and elsewhere.

Insert at end of original paragraph five (ends "…is 'equal or better than' that currently provided at Girtrell Court."):

However, the Council understands that this matter is being addressed through discussions with the new provider.

Delete original para six (begins "Council now accepts it made….") and replace with:

Council now recognises that the original plan to close Girtrell Court during the first half of 2016 was unrealistic.

Council notes that Sanctuary Supported Living issued a ‘Communications Update' in February 2017 which set out details of User Engagement sessions as part of the transition progress. Council believes that information from these sessions and representations from service users should be provided to the Scrutiny Review.

Council records its thanks to the service users and members of the public who fought to ensure that individual needs had to be recognised and provided for with services that needed developing.

Delete (b) in original para seven and insert:

(b)  instructs officers to establish whether there is a potential for the continuing use for the building at Girtrell Court and any alternative uses for the site, given the need for intermediate care, 'step down’ and other services. Officers should report on whether the capital required to modernise the building and to provide en suite and additional facilities would be better utilised on a more cost-effective new construction project.

_______

Following a debate, and Councillor Blakeley having replied, Councillor Green and five Conservative Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on the amendment and the Council divided as follows:

For the amendment (6) Councillors A Brighouse, C Carubia, P Cleary, P Gilchrist, S Kelly, and D Mitchell.

Against the amendment (52) Councillors R Abbey, T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, P Brightmore, D Burgess-Joyce, Mrs W Clements,  A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, D Elderton, G Ellis, S Foulkes, J Green, P Hayes, AC Hodson, K Hodson, T Johnson, A Jones, C Jones, T Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, I Lewis, A McLachlan, J McManus, C Meaden, B Mooney, C Muspratt, T Norbury, M Patrick, L Reecejones, L Rennie, L Rowlands, PA Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, P Stuart, M Sullivan, A Sykes, T Usher, W Ward, GCJ Watt, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams, S Williams and J Williamson.

One abstention – Councillor P Hackett.

The amendment was therefore lost (6:52) (One abstention).

Prior to the vote on the motion, Councillor Phil Davies and five Labour Members rose to request a ‘card vote’.

A ‘card vote’ was then taken on the motion and the Council divided as follows:

For the motion (18) Councillors T Anderson, B Berry, C Blakeley, E Boult, D Burgess-Joyce, Mrs W Clements,  D Elderton, G Ellis, J Green,  P Hayes, AC Hodson, K Hodson, I Lewis, L Rennie, L Rowlands, A Sykes, GJC Watt, and S Williams.

Against the motion (40) Councillors R Abbey, A Brighouse,  P Brightmore, C Carubia, P Cleary, A Davies, G Davies, P Davies, W Davies, P Doughty, S Foulkes, P Gilchrist, T Johnson, A Jones, C Jones, T Jones, S Kelly, B Kenny, A Leech, A McLachlan, J McManus, C Meaden, D Mitchell, B Mooney, C Muspratt, T Norbury, M Patrick, L Reecejones, PA Smith, W Smith, C Spriggs, J Stapleton, P Stuart, M Sullivan, T Usher, W Ward, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams and J Williamson.

One abstention – Councillor P Hackett.

The motion was therefore lost (18:40) (One abstention).