Decision details

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report which presented the findings of the consultation exercise, as previously agreed to be undertaken at Executive Board in December 2023, on proposals to close Knowle Manor residential care home in Morley, and to repurpose Dolphin Manor residential care home in Rothwell into a community care bed base (Recovery Hub). In considering those outcomes, the report made recommendations regarding the future of both residential care homes for the Board’s consideration.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member provided an overview of the proposals and of the consultation undertaken. Information on current occupancy levels for both care homes was provided, with it being highlighted that the context of the proposals was that the use of Council residential care homes had declined over recent years. It was noted that there were other care home providers in the locality with vacancies and as such it was felt that there were suitable alternatives available for residents. It was also noted that there were jobs available for affected Knowle Manor staff at the Council’s other in-house care delivery services, and that proposals would see Dolphin Manor staff retaining their jobs. Acknowledging the potential impact of these proposals, details were provided on the support that would be given to those affected, should the recommendations be approved.

Responding to a Member’s enquiries regarding the future of Knowle Manor, Members received an update on the condition of the building. Whilst it was acknowledged that investment had been made via the installation of solar panels, it was noted that the building was in a poor condition and that the level of funding required to refurbish and maintain it was not available.

It was also noted that whilst not covered within the submitted report, the Leader highlighted that he and the Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles and Culture had met with local Ward Councillors and the local MP about the longer-term future of Knowle Manor. It was undertaken that the Council would work with those local Ward Members and the MP in terms of looking for wider funding opportunities, with the aspiration that Knowle Manor be used for the future provision of care and health services in Morley, if at all possible, and that at the appropriate time, such matters would be submitted to the Board.

A Member raised an enquiry regarding consultation undertaken in relation to Dolphin Manor. In response, the Board received further information on the consultation exercise conducted in respect of the proposals within the submitted report affecting both Dolphin Manor and Knowle Manor.

In response to a Member’s comments regarding the provision of the Council’s residential care services more generally and the impact that these proposals would have, the Board received further details on this matter. It was noted that the Council’s provision of long-term residential care services was very small and underutilised. It was highlighted that the external market currently does not have sufficient supply of intermediate care provision, hence the proposal within the report that Dolphin Manor could be repurposed as an intermediate care facility.

Members received further details and context on the current occupancy levels at both Knowle Manor and Dolphin Manor and also on the processes and timeframes by which the Council had stopped the admission of long-term residents.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the closure of Knowle Manor care home be approved, and that once closed, the building be declared surplus to service requirements;

(b)  That the repurposing of Dolphin Manor into a community care bed base (Recovery Hub), be approved;

(c)  That following resolutions (a) and (b) above, the timeline for closure asset out at point 66 of the submitted report, be approved;

(d)  That it be noted that the Director of Adults and Health is responsible for the implementation of the resolutions above.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A Lamb required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

Briefings, Meetings (full consultation details documented within the report).

Ward Members, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles and Culture, Finance, Legal, Asset Management, Chief Officers, and Stakeholders.