Issue details

On 15 November 2021, following a period of consultation, Cabinet took the decision to look at upgrading Walker Grange to ensure it is fit for purpose to provide Extra Care Housing and to meet the changing needs of older people including those living with dementia.

Improving the environment and standards of the building at Walker Grange gives an opportunity to provide support to people with varying levels of dementia with a higher level of care. We envisage this would require the layout of the building to be altered to include creation of links between existing communal areas & flatted accommodation and a safe and secure external environment for people with dementia who “walk with purpose”. Those options will be subject to a further report to Cabinet setting out a detailed implementation plan and the allocation of requisite financial resources.

In the short term using already agreed financial resources and delivery routes, new works are proposed that will benefit the existing residents and enable void flats to be brought in to use.

We would recommend progressing with essential maintenance and improvements including upgrading Mechanical & Electrical Systems, Lifts, refurbishment to decorations & floor finishes throughout as well as some building fabric maintenance. This will ensure the facility remains fit for purpose in the short to medium term.

In addition, there are 16 void flats, 6 of which are being held for remodelling.

It is proposed that void flats not currently refurbished to a lettable standard will be re configured to an open plan environment, (remove wall between kitchen to lounge and reposition front doors) to provide an open plan area for easier access and to improve resident mobility.

This would then become the standard for future voids in the buildings and following consultation with existing residents the work could be rolled out to all current occupied flats.

While the total cost of this initial phase of work could exceed £1m slightly it is proposed that much of that cost would be met from existing HRA resources that have already been agreed at Cabinet.

We will look to use finances and delivery routes already being used for voids, flooring contracts, lift maintenance and replacement, mechanical and electrical systems.

Residents have been kept updated through ongoing consultation and any alterations to flat layouts will be showcased to local residents before any final decision on remodelling existing units.