South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP13 Property Costs Reduction
| Title | South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP13 Property Costs Reduction |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Aims and Objectives | This proposal will close the Red Deer Centre as there have been no health or social work services operating from there for some time. The revenue budget is delegated to the IJB however the capital asset is owned by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC). The building is ageing and in poor overall condition, requiring significant investment of around £1.1m to bring the property into a good state of repair. However, in order to meet modern standards of accommodation, investment in order of £3m would be required. This proposal will affect the existing nine community activity groups who operate from the building free of charge. There is no assessed social care services requirement for these group activities to be delivered from the Red Deer Centre. This is a legacy arrangement. The community groups will be supported to find alternative and suitable premises through which to continue to meet and undertake their activities. Any move to new premises would result in the group members having to pay a charge similar to all other community groups. The effect of this proposal would see the removal of the Red Deer annual budget of £0.229m (Service Level Agreement with Community and Enterprise Resources - £0.115m; Property and other costs - £0.114m) and would support the IJB to achieve its statutory responsibility to set a balanced budget in 2024/25. |
| Conclusion | A review of South Lanarkshire Council’s property assets was undertaken to inform the wider review policy. Each of the properties within the review process were reviewed by Community and Enterprise Resources, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) and Property Services with input from Social Work and Education Resources where appropriate. The policy will impact on the nine existing groups using the Red Deer Centre as well as the Community and Enterprise staff, and the residents of East Kilbride and indeed the wider South Lanarkshire area. However, there is evidence that there are similar vacant properties within the area which with either no or minimal alterations could support the increased community use and could easily be accessed by the groups. As Community Asset Transfer is unlikely to be a viable option given the level of funding required for the refurbishment of the facility, there are other options in terms of retaining the bowling greens that could be explored with the club and external funders, or for the club to merge with other nearby clubs. Recognising that the Red Deer Centre may become unavailable at a future date, officers from South Lanarkshire Social Work Resources, Community Engagement staff and voluntary sector colleagues, have on various occasions, met with the committee at the Red Deer Centre to support the identification of suitable alternative accommodation. These discussions have been ongoing since November 2023 with the 9 community groups and support has been offered to help the groups identify alternative premises. This consultation was in the form of attendance at regular committee meetings and liaising with the lead committee member to try and reprovision these groups in suitable alternative accommodation. The Red Deer committee have however agreed not to access the support offered by the Council and other partners, even though the outcomes have been explained in detail e.g. other facilities currently available may not be available to relocate to in the future if accessed by other groups. It is proposed to withdraw the annual operating budget of the Red Deer Centre. This may result in a negative impact on some protected characteristic groups (age and disability) who are resistant to consider alternative suitable options for relocation within the East Kilbride area, for example The Murray Owen Centre (0.8 miles). The groups have indicated that their preference is to remain in the Red Deer premises and do not wish to consider any alternative. The building continues to deteriorate and moving to alternative premises would give people a more positive environment to meet. This offer of help remains available from the Council. Third sector groups alongside, community development teams, community and enterprise resource, SLLC and social work resources will monitor this impact as appropriate and report to senior management teams and relevant committees. There have been no health or social work services operating from the Red Deer Centre for some time now. There is no operational requirement for health and social care to deliver services from the building. The building is in poor overall condition and requires significant investment to bring it up to existing standards and further investment to future proof the building. Support to relocate to alternative suitable premises has been offered to the nine activity groups currently operating from the Red Deer Centre within the East Kilbride area, for example The Murray Owen Centre (0.8 miles). On the basis that the groups can be accommodated in alternative premises, there is no detriment to them continuing to operate. Agreed by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board on 26th March 2024. |
| Completion date | March 2024 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |