Wiltshire Council discusses future of Furlong Close at cabinet meeting

Wiltshire Council discussed the future of Furlong Close at a cabinet meeting today. (21 June)

Specialised Supported Housing (SSH) will be buying the land and buildings from Hft which currently own the site at Rowde.

SSH in partnership with the Rowde Friends and Families group, have selected Inclusion Housing, which is a not for profit housing association, to lease the site and manage the accommodation. 

Inclusion Housing will work in partnership with Agincare Enable who will provide the care at the site. Agincare Enable has submitted an application to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to register the service as Supported Living.  

All parties are working to a transfer date this summer and this will be subject to Care Quality Commission (CQC) agreement of the new registration as Supported Living.

The council currently holds a covenant on the Hft-owned site which restricts its use to residential care only (this is known as C2 use).  In order to deliver supported living on site the covenant needs to allow C3b use.  Cabinet members were asked to agree for a variation to the covenant to be put in place at the meeting.

Once registered with CQC, the care will be provided by Agincare Enable on the site and will move from residential to supported living. This means residents will be able to continue living at Furlong Close and receive care according to their needs but they will be tenants on the site with associated rights.

Hft's staff currently provide care for all residents there, and Hft has informed staff and family and friends of residents of the changes.

Lucy Townsend Corporate Director for People said: "We know residents of Furlong Close and their family and friends have been waiting for some time for a resolution on the future of the site. This is positive news and provides a way forward for all involved to ensure some stability and security.

"There are still some steps which need to be completed, including obtaining the CQC agreement. It is positive that council leaders agreed to the variation to the covenant at cabinet.

"We are in touch with our 17 residents who currently receive care on the site to make sure they can continue to be supported with good quality care that meets their individual needs and provides value for money."