Backing for care home proposal
Perth and Kinross Council will begin the process of assessing options for redeveloping Beechgrove House.
Perth’s only council-run care home was shut in 2018 despite protests from the local community.
Perth City South councillor Sheila McCole opposed the closure and this week had her motion to look at re-purposing the site for the benefit of the community approved.
Cllr McCole told a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council on Wednesday, February 19 there was a need for accommodation that may not always be met by “conventional housing” and for it to be delivered locally near friends and relatives.
Her motion to launch a comprehensive and wide ranging options appraisal on the buildings and Oakbank site was seconded by fellow SNP councillor Tom McEwan.
He said that with a “growing ageing population” there was an “increased demand” and said fuel poverty was a “real threat” with a need to create energy efficient homes and futureproof them in an affordable way.
The motion gained unanimous support in the chamber.
Cllr Eric Drysdale who chairs the integration joint board which controls the health and social care partnership (HSCP) said he was “fully supportive” of measures to used fixed assets at times when both the HSCP and PKC faced financial challenges.
He said: “We really do need to make full use of these.”
Independent councillor Xander McDade suggested the council could look at introducing intergenerational housing with OAPs and students all on the same site, bringing “mental health benefits” and helping to “combat loneliness.”
After the meeting, Cllr McCole said: “I welcome the cross-party support for this motion.
“This is an ideal opportunity for Perth and Kinross Council to retain ownership of the Beechgrove House site to address gaps in specialist social housing needs that are increasingly varied and complex, in a way that is innovative and forwardlooking, both in relation to re-purposing of the current buildings and the wider site overall.
“We should be seeking alternative solutions that will also support the need to increase the pace of, and capacity for, fuller health and social care integration in Perth and Kinross, in line with the Scottish
Government’s priority ambitions for the country as a whole.
“The feasibility of repurposing the buildings and the site should be thoroughly investigated to consider options such as, conversion to sheltered and specialist housing, intermediate care and enablement facility, rehabilitation and/or other therapeutic services, shortterm day and/or residential respite services, step-up step-down facility.”
Councillor Tom McEwan, the SNP spokesperson on housing and communities, added: “It was a pleasure to support the motion today brought to the council by Cllr Sheila McCole.
“The site of the now closed Beechgrove House is an ideal opportunity to build high quality, energy efficient, adaptable homes in this area of Perth.
“This will provide the perfect opportunity for residents, with specific housing needs, to remain in their community close to family, friends and the health and social care services they need.
“This is an opportunity for the council as part of this wide-ranging to consider the provision of social housing that will allow residents to reduce their household energy bills and help meet the challenges we face with the climate emergency and moving towards a carbon neutral economy.”