Proposals to reshape care for people being looked after in three Bath & North East Somerset Council-run community resource centres are being recommended for public consultation.

A detailed report before Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, recommends approval for a six-week consultation with residents, families, staff and the wider community on the care proposals.

If approved the council would consult on plans which could see Cleeve Court Residential Home in Bath becoming a centre of excellence for dementia care including nursing care.

The plans would also enable younger people with complex needs to live closer to home with an enhanced offer for them at Combe Lea, in Midsomer Norton. Eleven places at Charlton House Nursing Home, in Keynsham, could also be moved to Cleeve Court or other provision.

Charlton House Nursing Home currently has 11 out of 30 beds occupied but could instead offer alternative care provision or housing options to meet the needs of the local community such as a ‘step-down’ ward over winter.

Proposals also include the opportunity for community groups and charitable organisations’ use of day centre spaces at the community resource centres at a reduced rental rate if the organisations offer services that are accessible to the care home residents and the community.

Extra Care schemes and sheltered housing provision currently provided at Community Resource Centre sites in partnership with housing providers will not be affected by these proposals.

Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “The proposals which I am being asked to approve to go out for consultation follow a review of the three homes where we provide registered care for up to 105 people. I am acutely aware that these are people’s homes and so residents, their families and staff must have their say on any plans we make. Running alongside any decision is also the fact that providing care is very costly and like every council there are huge pressures on our budgets. I shall give careful consideration to the report and the next steps for our Community Resource Centres in the best interest of the people we care for now and into the future.”

All three Community Resource Centres came back to the council three years ago. Overall the CRC provision includes Charlton House which is registered to provide 30 nursing care beds over two separate floors, Combe Lea which provides 30 registered care beds and Cleeve Court which provides 45 registered care beds.

All have been invested in significantly, including increased pay for staff and training and equipment to support care. However rising costs including agency cost pressures could see the service face a potential £1 million overspend in the next financial year.

Following a CQC inspection in last October a number of concerns were identified at Charlton House and to help address them, 15 nursing care beds were temporarily withdrawn. Significant progress has been made since this time and the CQC has rated the service as ‘requires improvement’.

The report before Councillor Born says there is ample alternative provision of general nursing care home services for adults in B&NES but there are shortfalls in complex needs services.

And it says that the Charlton House building, which is relatively new and is of high quality, is suitable for several accommodation uses including as a ‘step-down’ ward over winter.

To find the Single Member Decision report go the council's website