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I understand that members of the group have now visited each of the sheltered schemes to hear the views of residents and to see the physical condition of the buildings, and that it has been agreed that independent, specialist consultants should go into each scheme to find out in confidence what residents want for the future, so that their views can be fully taken into account in any decisions that are eventually made. Every resident of sheltered accommodation will be offered the chance to contribute and will be able to have relatives or friends with them when the interviews are conducted. The consultation and research exercise will be carried out over the coming months. That means that no decisions will be taken about the future of the schemes until the spring.
The council is also using its community strategy and emerging local area agreement—LAA—to address the needs of older people. Proposals include increasing the proportion of older people supported to live in their own home and assisting vulnerable people, including the elderly, to access good-quality and affordable housing. I am sure that Bexley’s aspirations in respect of the housing needs of its older people are not unique and I encourage the council to consider the way forward in the context of national and regional policy developments, which are raising the profile of the issues facing this important section of the population. The council’s ongoing review of housing and support for older people appears to be a valuable first step in determining the way ahead for Bexley.
One of the key issues that Members will be concerned about is the sustainability of whatever options Bexley and its partners choose to pursue, and the scrutiny arrangements that are put in place. The future of housing provision for older people is a key strategic issue, and one which I would expect the local strategic partnership to address in taking forward the local area agreement for Bexley, which we expect to agree in the next month or so. The issue of alternative providers was raised; I cannot comment on those issues today, but they obviously can be discussed in the wider context. It will be important for the Government office for London to work closely with Bexley in reviewing and, if necessary, refreshing the agreement to ensure that the needs of this section of the community are properly addressed. The Government office is already in dialogue with the council about how it intends to develop its local area agreement in the light of the recently published local government White Paper in order to deliver improved levels of accountability and services that reflect those local aspirations. I expect that dialogue to continue and to address the sort of issues that hon. Members have raised on the Floor of the House tonight.
I conclude by congratulating the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup and other hon. Gentlemen on raising these issues. It is right for all of us, as constituency MPs, to put forward issues that have affected and will affect the people whom we represent. As my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead said, that has been reflected well in the House tonight, so I congratulate all those involved in the debate.
Adjourned accordingly at half-past Ten o’clock.
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