On 15 September 2008 Cabinet approved a report recommending the submission of an Outline Business Case for the Excellent Homes For All housing PFI project and the progression of its procurement.
This report updates Cabinet on the project which is being procured in partnership with five District Council authorities and will result in the provision of at least 220 new homes for vulnerable people in Kent.
This report requests Cabinet to approve:
· Delegated Authority to the Corporate Director for Families and Social Care (or other nominated officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, to sign the contract documentation including the Project Agreement which will enable the project to become operational;
· Delegated Authority to the Corporate Director for Families and Social Care (or other nominated officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, to sign the Back to Back Agreement to share the risks and benefits of the project with our District Council partners;
· The use of the designated sites for the project
· Approval for the required Authority contribution for the duration of the contract.
How the decision relates to BS4K and Corporate Objectives
The project is in line with KCC strategies and in particular supports the following:
Bold Steps for Kent Priorities:
2 - Support the transformation of health and social care in Kent
8 - Respond to key regeneration challenges working with our partners
9 - Support new housing growth that is affordable, sustainable and with the appropriate infrastructure
15 - Improve services for the most vulnerable people in Kent
‘Better Homes: Localism, Aspiration and Choice’. Kent’s Housing Strategy states as an ambition: “to support vulnerable peoplein housing need to fulfil their potential and live a high quality life through the provision of excellent housing and support services”.
Living Later Life to the Full, identifies planning for future housing needs as key to achieving local older people’s aspirations for later life, and the need for additional extra care housing is explicit in the Framework.
Active Lives 2006 - 2016’ commits to providing innovative schemes that support vulnerable people to live in their own homes. The policy states that the County will continue to lead partnerships to deliver major supported housing projects and identifies public private partnerships as an appropriate vehicle.
Impact/costs and risks of proposed decision
The decision would approve the signing of the PFI Project Agreement, subject to their being no significant changes to the affordability of the deal and the risk profile prior to financial and contractual close.
The current status would commit the Authority to a 25 year contract with a contractor who will design, build, finance and operate at least 220 apartments of extra care and supported housing across five districts. The Authority would receive approximately £66.8 million PFI credits to cover the cost of the project, but would be committed to a contribution towards the operation of the facilities.
The majority of risks associated with developing and running the facilities are borne by the contractor under the PFI arrangement (e.g design risk, demand risk) however some risks such as un-insurability or contract termination are shared and this is set out in detail in the report.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 10/12/2014
Decision due: 9 Jul 2012 by Cabinet
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Sara Naylor, Project Manager Email: sara.naylor@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 221184.
Consultation process
The project procurement has been delayed whilst we await the outcome of a government national 'value for money review' of housing PFI.
Consultees
Please state if there are any additional legal requirements to consult other than those stated in the Local Government Act 1999 - Best Value Duty.
Aims and level(s) of consultation
The decision to undertake the procurement was undertaken following Cabinet approval in 2009 and the project initiated at that stage. Its scope can not be significantly amended following tender.
Local Members and neighbours of the facilities to be developed will be consulted again as part of the planning process for the new housing.
This consultation will be to ‘Gather Information’ and ‘Gather Opinions’.
Key consultee groups
Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Local Members
District Council Partners
Start and finish dates of consultation.
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health is updated and consulted at all key stages in the procurement.
Local Members were consulted at the inception of the project (prior to the previous Cabinet Report in 2009, and also the Outline Planning for the housing). They will be updated prior to the Cabinet meeting on 11 June 2012.
Further consultation with Local Members will be undertaken as part of the full planning process – this will occur from October 2012 to December 2012.
Equalities Impact Assessment included in the consultation documentation. Please state where this can be found.
When the project was originally scoped and advertised there was no legislative requirement to undertake an equality impact assessment (EIA). However an EIA screening has now been completed and the documentation and specification has been reviewed in line with this.
The EIA is available from the Equalities and Diversity Team diversityinfo@kent.gov.uk or from the Project Manager.
Date of publication of consultation outcomes and updated Equalities Impact Assessment
Informing Only (Who and when)
Prior to consideration by Cabinet copies will be sent to:
Corporate Director of Finance and Procurement
Director of Property and Infrastructure Support
Adult Services and Public Health Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Director of Law and Governance
Has the matter already been discussed by a Cabinet Committee? If not when will be it discussed by the Cabinet Committee and the date of the meeting
A report on “Better Homes Active Lives” and “Excellent Homes for All” Housing PFIs was presented to the Adult Social Services Policy Overview Committee, 1 April 2009 (Item B7). The matter will also be discussed at the Social Care and Public Health Cabinet Committee 10 May 2012.
Is the matter referred to in your Business Plan or Medium Term Capital Programme?
It is in the Medium Term Capital Programme.
Which Members and electoral Divisions are affected by this proposed decision? Is it All Members?
Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Local Members for the following wards:
Tenterden
Dover West
Ramsgate
Dartford East
Ashford South
Meetings will be offered to individual Members prior to consideration by Cabinet.
Financial implications: Sara Naylor - Project Manager - PFI and PPP Customer & Communities Tel: 01622 221184, Email: sara.naylor@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 12/01904
Equalities implications: In order for the project to secure £75 million PFI credits from Central Government for the Excellent Homes for All PFI project, the Cabinet must approve the submission of the Final Business Case and the signing of the Project Agreement and associated documents, and the Back to Back Agreement.