Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)    Meadow View was the Council’s new day and respite care service for adults with learning difficulties and complex needs. Once complete, the service would provide a day service for more than 60 adults, as well as overnight respite care in seven bedrooms and seven self-contained apartments;

b)    Construction had now begun on site, which was located at the edge of Central Park, close to main bus services and offering easy access to the park;

c)    The site would offer access to disability bikes, as well as specially designed changing spaces and toilet facilities;

d)    PCC had worked closely with users, families, staff and the public to ensure the design reflected people’s needs, providing a space to build independent skills and connect with others;

e)    The new building would feature a broad range of appropriately designed facilities, including:

                       i.       Art and craft spaces;

                      ii.       Sensory gardens;

                     iii.       Purpose-built sensory rooms;

                     iv.       Accessible cycle hub.

f)     The new building has been designed to support the Council’s ambition to reduce carbon emissions and would incorporate efficiency measures including:

                       i.       Solar wind systems;

                      ii.       Air source heating;

                     iii.       Triple glazing;

                     iv.       Biodiversity of the site.

Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) added:

g)    It was challenging to minimise carbon impacts of such buildings due to the complex needs of the residents using the services. To mitigate this, the  building would be comprised of a timber frame, which was fundamental for carbon cutting;

h)     The building would be heated throughout by air source heat pumps, covered with solar PV, and utilise efficient technology throughout, including LED lights and low water sanitary systems;

i)     Due to its central location, the site would make sustainable travel easier for residents, staff and families, enabling electric buses to pass directly outside. The site would also feature new EV charging facilities and a cycle hub, offering accessible bikes;

j)     New planting in the area would include:

                       i.       Native hedgerows

                      ii.       Wild flowers

                     iii.       Ornamental shrubs

                     iv.       Raised beds

                      v.       55 new trees, ranging from Silver Birch to Holm Oak.

Cliff Morgan (Strategic Lead for Provision & Delivery, Adult Social Care) added:

k)    The project was the culmination of six years of design and planning work;

l)     Following engagement with clients, staff and families, it was recognised that existing complex needs facilities required greater accessibility. The new purpose built facility was located in the heart of a community in the city centre, and was specifically designed to maximise accessibility;

m)  Following a £13 million investment, the modern, purpose built facility would provide daytime services and activities for more than 60 people with learning disabilities and complex needs;

n)    Funding had been secured from the Climate Emergency Investment Fund to future proof the building with energy efficient and carbon mitigating materials and technologies;

o)    The building would feature seven self-contained apartments providing planned short breaks and emergency accommodation. The service would focus on person-centred care, education, and increased opportunities to support independent living skills, becoming a centre of excellence for care and support;

p)    The building would include a pottery room and a kiln, allowing service users to produce and sell high standard pottery crafts at local markets. This helped integrate service users into the wider community;

q)    While it was recognised nationally that there was a lack of appropriate changing spaces for people with physical disabilities, the Meadow View project would create seven new changing facilities, with one made accessible to members of the public;

r)    It was estimated that the service would be operational in the new facility by summer 2026. A time-lapse camera had been established to enable patients, families and the public to follow the build, and updates were available on the Council’s website.

(A video was played at this point)

The Cabinet agreed to note the report.