Critics want controversial sale of 20 care homes scrapped amid deal delay |
Norfolk County Council has agreed an 'in-principle' deal to sell its own company Norse Care - and 20 care homes - to private company Stow Healthcare Group.
Leaders at Conservative-controlled County Hall said the deal would enable fresh investment into those homes and that the March end of Norse Care's contract to run them was the right time to make the change.
However, the deal has yet to be concluded, so Alison Thomas, the council's cabinet member for adult social care has used her powers to agree an extension with Norse Care for the company to keep running the homes until the end of July.
Alison Thomas, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for adult social care (Image: Bill Smith)
A Norfolk County Council spokesman said: “Throughout the Norse Care transformation work, the continuity of quality care is our first priority.
"A short extension to Norse Care’s contract allows residents to continue to receive the care they need while the activity is completed to finalise arrangements about the future of the care delivery across both residential care and housing with care."
But critics said, with Norfolk County Council now due to be scrapped because of local government reorganisation - which will see three new unitary councils created - the sale should be stopped.
Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall (Image: Denise Bradley)
Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group, said: "Now we have confirmation of new councils coming and Norfolk County Council have had to extend NorseCare contract it would be absurd to go ahead with the sale.
"Emerging councils and whoever wins the local elections should be making decisions about future care delivery."
Labour activists Lisa Alston and Jane Overhill have applied to Norwich City Council for two care homes in the city - Ellacombe in Ella Road, Thorpe Hamlet, and Bishop Herbert House in Globe Place, off Vauxhall Street, to be declared as assets of community value.
If asset status is secured, community-led groups would be given six months to put forward bids to take on buildings.
Jane Overhill (Image: Labour Party)
Ms Overhill, who is standing in the Thorpe Hamlet division in May's council elections, said: "This extension should give the council time to talk to us about alternatives the community will support instead of selling Ellacombe to a US healthcare giant."
A contract for Norse Care to keep providing care in more than a dozen housing with care schemes until July was also agreed. A new contractor is being sought to run those.
However, the council has already had to bring in a new provider at the independent living scheme at Swallowtail Place in Acle.
Swallowtail Place in Acle (Image: Saffron Housing Trust)
After a highly critical report of the quality of care by watchdogs the Care Quality Commission, Norse Care withdrew from providing the service there, with Radis Community Care brought in to replace them earlier this month.
Which care homes are affected?
Beauchamp House, Chedgrave
Bishop Herbert House, Norwich
Cranmer House, Fakenham
Ellacombe, Thorpe Hamlet
Harker House, Long Stratton
High Haven, Downham Market
Lydia Eva Court, Gorleston
Mayflower Court, Norwich
Rebecca Court, Heacham
Rose Meadow, North Walsham
St Edmunds, Attleborough
St Nicholas House, Dereham
Sydney House, Stalham
Woodlands, King's Lynn
Three Norse Care properties - Springdale Care Home in Brundall , Burman House in Terrington St John and Linden Court in Watton - had already shut.
Which housing with care schemes are affected?
Barley Court, Costessey
Benjamin Court, Cromer
Benjamin Court in Cromer (Image: Jack Warren, Newsquest)
Dell Rose Court, Norwich
Green Lane View, Aylsham
Harriet Court, Lakenham
Laburnum Grove, Thetford
Lisbon Court, King's Lynn
Lloyd Court, High Kelling
Oakes Court, Downham Market
Redmayne View, Sprowston, Norwich
Robert Kett Court, Wymondham
St Augustine's, Gorleston
The Lawns, Great Yarmouth
The Meadows, Bowthorpe