Decision details

In May 2021, Cabinet approved the further development of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to better address the health needs of individuals who are homeless. 

Cabinet also approved the acquisition of St Stephens Church Hall, Bournemouth, to be used as a Homeless Inclusion Health Centre (‘Health Hub’) within an approved budget.

Programme governance has been established for this work, the MDT is developing well with various partners engaged, and conveyancing and the required due diligence continues in relation to the acquisition of St Stephens Church Hall.

Options are set out in the confidential Appendix A for the acquisition, refurbishment and management of the building which could bring additional investment requirements for the Council and therefore need further due consideration.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(a)     Delegates authority to the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for People and Homes and the Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee to implement a competitive selection process to appoint an operator of a Health Hub service from St Stephen’s Church Hall; and

(b)    Conditional upon the appointment of an operator as set out in Recommendation (a) above, approves the acquisition of the St Stephen’s Church Hall and delegates authority to the Corporate Property Officer function (retained by the Chief Executive for the purpose of this acquisition), the s151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer to agree the specific terms of the acquisition of St Stephens Church Hall.

(c)     Approves an increase in the capital budget for the purchase and refurbishment of the property for the purposes of delivering a Health Hub service to a maximum sum of £800,000.

Reason

The recommendations ensured a robust approach in taking the Health Hub Forward.

Recommendation (a) The approval of the use of St Stephens Church Hall for the Health Hub would ensure a solid basis to move forward and the competitive selection process to appoint an operational partner would ensure that the best operator for the project was appointed.

Recommendation (b) The approval ensures that services would be delivered in the most appropriate location and would ensure that the options were considered by the appropriate officers.

Recommendation (c) The approval ensures financial responsibility in setting a limit on the capital budget for the project and provides an assurance for partners on the financial envelope for the project.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: People and Homes