Issue - meetings

The NAIL (New Accommodation for Independent Living) Programme is a major cross-Council strategic initiative to provide high quality accommodation for a range of vulnerable people which promotes their wellbeing and ability to live independently through good design.  To meet needs and deliver significant savings for Adult Social Care for 2017/18 the Council will require access to additional properties suitable for occupation by learning disabled and mental health customers. Given the availability of housing stock within Brent this will prove challenging, and significant capital investment will be required.

RESOLVED:

9.1       Cabinet approved the use of 3 year leases to secure 3 properties for the use of 24 NAIL customers – a total cost of £327,500 per annum.

9.2       Cabinet approved a budget of £19.7M for the purchase and modification of private residential properties to provide an additional 90 units of accommodation for NAIL customers.

9.3       Cabinet approved the long-term use of the supported housing properties at 73 & 80 Wembley Park Drive, with a budget of £0.88M to refurbish the buildings to a standard suitable for long-term occupation by NAIL customers.

9.4       Cabinet approved asked to note that the above investment will generate savings of £2.6m p.a., bring the achievement of anticipated NAIL savings forward, and support Brent Council’s strategic vision for residents to remain independent in a home of their own and in the community for as long as possible, as evidence shows us that those who do, live longer, happier and healthier lives.

Councillor Krupesh Hirani, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, informed Cabinet Members that the NAIL (New Accommodation for Independent Living) Programme is a major cross-Council strategic initiative to provide high quality accommodation for a range of vulnerable people which promotes their wellbeing and ability to live independently through good design. 

He stated that by separating accommodation from care & support costs, the NAIL Programme will deliver significant efficiency savings for Adult Social Care (ASC) budgets, making it the largest savings programme within the Council.

Councillor Krupesh Hirani, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, stated that projected savings to be delivered by the NAIL Programme were mainly based on new-build schemes to provide long-term accommodation.

He stated that in light of challenges in the market, the Council has taken the decision to reshape and broaden the NAIL programme to include elements of investment and self-development. This has the added benefit of allowing the NAIL programme to work more closely with housing to support delivery of identified strategic housing requirements for the Council as a whole, as well as to bring forward the delivery of NAIL units to meet specific gaps in the current programme. To fully meet ASC’s current accommodation requirements for all groups, and provide a more balanced and sustainable savings profile an increased number of short- medium term units will be required.

Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, spoke in support of the report.

RESOLVED:

9.1       Cabinet approved the use of 3 year leases to secure 3 properties for the use of 24 NAIL customers – a total cost of £327,500 per annum.

9.2       Cabinet approved a budget of £19.7M for the purchase and modification of private residential properties to provide an additional 90 units of accommodation for NAIL customers.

9.3       Cabinet approved the long-term use of the supported housing properties at 73 & 80 Wembley Park Drive, with a budget of £0.88M to refurbish the buildings to a standard suitable for long-term occupation by NAIL customers.

9.4       Cabinet approved asked to note that the above investment will generate savings of £2.6m p.a., bring the achievement of anticipated NAIL savings forward, and support Brent Council’s strategic vision for residents to remain independent in a home of their own and in the community for as long as possible, as evidence shows us that those who do, live longer, happier and healthier lives.