Leader of Administration Underlines Commitment to Care Homes

The Leader of The Highland Council’s Administration, Councillor Michael Foxley, has underlined the 100% commitment of the Administration to build five new care homes.

Councillor Foxley said: “The new Administration is absolutely and totally committed to building five new care homes for older people.  I am happy to give this assurance to all those community groups and individuals who have fought so hard to keep care homes in council management and ownership.

“These care homes are going to be designed by staff within the Housing and Property Service and will incorporate modern sustainable features.

“Our Director of Housing and Property has now been asked to update the previous estimated costs of the five care homes.  The latest estimate of £21.5 million  dates back to 2006. It is vital that we have the latest estimates to assist with forward planning.”

Members of the Housing and Social Work Committee agreed last week that the new care homes at Muir of Ord, Fort William, Inverness, Tain and Grantown on Spey should be designed and built through a traditional procurement route, managed by the Council’s Director of Housing and Property.

The agreed approach should see the care homes at Inverness, Muir of Ord and Fort William under construction at the beginning of 2010 and completed in early 2011.

Site issues at Tain and Grantown on Spey have yet to be agreed but development and completion is also targeted for 2011.