Issue - meetings

Consideration has been given to the conversion of a property on Black Lane, Blaydon to be used as six-bedded Council run residential children’s home for Looked After Children.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included buying the property in order to rent it back to a provider, in a collaborative arrangement and working with providers to increase the independent provision within Gateshead.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the establishment of a children’s home at Longside House, subject to planning requirements, the appointment of a registered manager and registration with Ofsted be approved.

(ii)

That an allocation of up to £800,000 being included in the Council’s capital programme to finance the acquisition and refurbishment of the property and grounds be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

Young people needing residential care will be placed within Gateshead rather than being placed at a distance.

(B)

There will be savings to be made by bringing young people back into the Council’s own resource.