Furlong Close update following High Court decision

Wiltshire Council will continue the process to seek a care provider for Furlong Close following the news Hft has withdrawn its earlier decision to close the site.

The decision by Hft follows a court proceeding by a family representative of a Furlong Close resident. On Wednesday Hft formally confirmed in the High Court it has withdrawn its decision to close Furlong Close and it has not made any later decisions to close or cease providing care and support services.

Although Wiltshire Council was not involved in the court case regarding Hft's decision, as an interested party it was allowed to make a statement. In its statement Wiltshire Council confirmed the decision rested with Hft as the owner of Furlong Close.  The council had not decided to cease commissioning services. However, the council did not disagree with the decision to close.

In February 2021, Hft gave notice on all its contracts in Wiltshire with them ending on 19 May 2021. Due to its obligations under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, this meant the council has had to go out to tender for the delivery of services at Furlong Close. The February decision followed an earlier decision by Hft in October 2020 to close the site. This earlier decision had been challenged by a representative of a resident in the High Court.

The tender to find a new care provider for Furlong Close was formally issued this week and Wiltshire Council is asking families and friends of residents at Furlong Close to be involved as it goes out to tender for delivery of services for the future. The intention is to award a new contract later this year.

Wiltshire Council currently has 20 residents living at Furlong Close with 13 others from 12 other local authorities.  

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: "We welcome the decision by Hft to withdraw their earlier decision regarding Furlong Close.

"The tender process began on Tuesday to find a new provider for Furlong Close. This latest High Court development does not affect this process which has been a necessary step following Hft's earlier decision. We have been in regular contact with Families and Friends of Furlong close and we have explained to them they are an important part of the process to find a provider.

"I understand residents and their families may still have some concerns for the future. I want to stress that the care and support will continue as normal at Furlong Close whilst the tender process continues; the residents remain our priority."