Dear Editor,
You will be aware that Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) has plans to convert the old nursing home in Park Road, Stroud into accommodation for young people coming out of the care system.
GCC first organised public meetings regarding their plans for Southfield in May 2022, and it has been variously reported in the press from about the same time.
What is likely to be of interest to the public, is how controversial this is, and their intention to host a public, and probably final, meeting at the Trinity Rooms, Field Road, Stroud, GL5 2HZ on Wednesday at 5.15pm.
Whilst a series of challenges based upon the costs, and the care model that GCC propose has caused delays and some changes to GCC’s original plan, GCC appear now to want to force through its plans.
Despite local residents supporting the need to providing good homes and support for young vulnerable people coming out of the care system, we believe that delivering it in a large institutional facility for 19 such youngsters (in the age range 16 -25 years) is inappropriate, and will suffer safeguarding problems.
Specifically, the model being proposed by GCC is also contrary to the advice provided to Government by Josh MacAlister and Dame Rachel de Souza who both advocate smaller 4-5 bed homes where “parenting” and a loving family environment is provided.
The second major point of contention is the financial business case being proposed by GCC. In March 2022, the GCC Cabinet approved a capital budget of £3.3m to develop both the old and new house on the site. This budget was established without thorough assessment of these buildings including the likelihood of asbestos, the need for energy and acoustic efficiency upgrades, and fire and electrical safety factors. Importantly also, GCC’s business case did not use the Government guidance on investment appraisal as advocated in the Treasury Green Book (TGB) to show that that “best value” is being delivered for the taxpayer. This is a statutory requirement on local authorities. Using TGB methodology, planned changes to the main house alone are likely to cost the taxpayer at least £3,5M and up to £5.3M more than external placement costs, the benchmark used by GCC. We are convinced that GCC want to start the project, and then secure further funds as developers progress, AKA HS2.
Despite repeated requests, GCC’s Finance officers have refused to entertain any face-to-face discussions regarding the Southfield financial case and the merits of developing an alternative based on four 5-bedded houses as advocated by the Government’s expert advisers. Our analysis shows that this alternative approach is likely to save the taxpayer £8.7M over the seven-year operating period considered by GCC.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Charters
(On behalf of the Park Road Residents Group.)
Response from Gloucestershire County Council
A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that there are local concerns and have worked hard to address these where reasonable and to clarify any misunderstandings. We have worked closely with the local residents’ group to develop revised proposals that will be shared with the wider community this Wednesday and are committed to working with them as we progress refurbishment of the home.
“Our commitment is to deliver high quality homes and supported accommodation for children and young people across the county. Residents are welcome to share their views and ask any questions they have at the engagement event being held on Wednesday 17 July at 5.15pm at the Stroud Trinity Rooms.”
