Decision ref
0014 2024/25
Decision date
01/07/2024
Portfolio
Children and Young People
Wards
All wards
Title
Millersdale Staying Put Project - Lease
Summary
To confirm a partnership between St Helens Borough Council and Torus62 limited whereby the Council enters into a lease agreement with Torus for a property which Torus have refurbished to become bespoke pre independence flats for care experienced young people.
Purpose
This report provides a brief summary of the circumstances for the decision as it has been discussed with Senior Leaders and members across the Council and is governed by the Corporate Parenting Forum.
There has been extensive negotiation concerning the lease as it now stands and is attached, with the Council ultimately accepting the terms therein.
The cost of the lease is linked to the cost of the refurbishment work as well as the length of time the lease is to run for, all of which have been modelled as part of the negotiations.
Background
The property at 3-6 Millersdale has been empty for some time, having previously been occupied as an office space by the Police. Prior to that it was in effect 2 semi detached properties which were occupied as residencies.
In exploring the options for the building when it became available, there was opportunity for Torus and the Council to examine alternative uses. As part of the work being undertaken at the time, and subsequently, looking at the Council sufficiency strategy for children we look after and care leavers, a viability exercise was undertaken to examine whether the building could be transformed into trainer flats for older children in our care who were on their way to, but not yet ready for, independence.
It was then, and remains now, the case that there are many children for whom this service is needed.
From a property perspective, this would bring the building into a constructive use which would be an improvement for the local area on what had gone before and enable an element of regeneration therein.
Following the approval of the then DCS, in 2022 drawings and planning permission were progressed and both remain relevant to this DED.
More recently, in 2023 concern was raised about value for money and colleagues from Place, Finance and Legal services have been involved in various discussions which have ultimately led to agreement for the project being given on the terms as they currently are reflected in the lease attached.
From Children's services perspective, this agreement was the foundation stone of a bid to the Department of Education for a grant under their Staying Close scheme, which was successful and has brought in £1.4m to staff and resource the project based in Millersdale.
The project will enable up to 7 young people to live in their own trainer flat for a time limited period as they learn the skills needed to achieve independence. At present, these young people are being placed in private provision which incurs a cost to the Council of circa £2000 per week, or upwards of £728,000 per year.
Overall, the project will provide a specifically tailored building, in partnership with Torus, for a defined group of care experienced children and with the benefit of grant funding, improving outcomes for the children and the wider community and building on the OFSTED Good rating for the experience of children in care and the Outstanding rating given to our care leaver service.
The project reports in to the Corporate Parenting Forum, chaired by the Lead Member for Children.
Conclusion
Overall, it is noted that there has been significant deliberation over a prolonged period of time to reach the decision, which is now accepted across the Council, that the lease as attached and the model of practice, should be approved.
This will provide strong outcomes for our children and young people, enhance our core staff team, develop partnership working with Torus, improve the local community setting and ensure savings for the Council
Risk Implications
None
Measures to Redress Risk
None
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact Dominic Tumelty on 01744 673343
