A public meeting to show solidarity and address concerns over the proposed decommissioning of two extra care schemes in Salford. Monica Court in Monton and Astley Court in Irlam residents were told by landlords ForHousing that there are plans to rehome them.
This caused an uproar amongst tenants as they were told the decision to ‘phase out’ buildings was because ‘they cannot meet the standards’ they want to provide. This meeting, on June 15 at Irlam Catholic Club, will be attended by local Councillors, the city mayor Paul Dennett, Unison, residents of Astley and Monica Court and their representatives.
Salford City Council has spoken out and is backing tenants who are living in two extra care schemes that are due to close.
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Deputy city mayor, Councillor John Merry – has sent an open letter to the chief executive of ForHousing reiterating that the council is ‘opposed to the current plan to decommission Monica Court and Astley Court’. Elderly tenants in the schemes are in need of a high level of care and this news left many of them feeling worried over their future.
Coun John Merry, who is also the lead member for adult services, health and well-being said: “The decision to close these two extra care schemes is an absolute disgrace and we stand with the people who live in them, their families and loved ones. The people who live in these schemes need a high level of care and they absolutely deserve to live in their homes they are comfortable in, in peace.
“It is totally unacceptable that ForHousing made this decision without any agreement from the city council.
“In fact senior council officers and politicians were not even invited to the meeting where residents were told. We understand that eventually these two extra care schemes would need to be phased out, but not when there is no new provision being available in the localities.
“Now a job advert has been placed by ForHousing to decommission the homes which shows they have little regard for local people and their care. ForHousing needs to reconsider this decision.
“This has caused tenants and their families much distress. Any decisions should be made in consultation with tenants, some of whom are over 100 years old and some who have lived in their homes since the early 1990s.”
In response, Nigel Sedman, Executive Director of Homes at ForHousing, said: “The safety and wellbeing of tenants is paramount to ForHousing. Our decision was taken to protect tenants at both Astley and Monica Court.
"The schemes are not suitable for modern extra care services and cannot be upgraded due to the physical limitations of the buildings. Nobody is being asked to leave their current home and we recognise the importance of the schemes to tenants and communities.
"We will continue to look at ways to provide support to tenants to ensure that they have a modern home which supports their wellbeing. We have been working with Salford City Council officers for several years to establish alternative provision of Extra Care homes within Salford, particularly in relation to the future of Astley Court and Monica Court.
"We have written to the deputy mayor to request a meeting to discuss Astley and Monica with a view to looking at further options. We will ensure that tenants and their families continue to be involved in the discussions and we will listen to them.”
