11    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    Councillor Jenkins declared an interest in the following item as the public question related to a possible development within his Ward.

12    QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ATTENDING THE MEETING

There was one question asked by Mr Trott concerning the possibility of an Adolescent Children’s Care Home being opened in Southlands Road, Bromley,  as follows:-

‘Do you consider that the opening of a commercially run home for troubled and troublesome adolescent boys, including those on bail or about to be released form secure conditions, in a dense residential area in Bickley will seriously compromise the safety and security of extremely concerned local residents?”

Reply:

The Portfolio Holder replied that he had a prepared answer, a copy of which would be sent to Mr Trott after the meeting.  Precision Care was a private sector provider of care homes for children and young people. They have recently informed Bromley planning department of their intention to open a care home at 247, Southlands Road and a Certificate of Lawfulness had been issued to that effect.

However, following concerns expressed by local residents, further enquiries revealed that Precision Care were considering using this facility to accommodate 4 young offenders who had recently been discharged from secure facilities. This seemed highly inappropriate given the proposed units proposed location.

Enquiries were made of the registration authority, Ofsted, who have confirmed that as yet no registration had been given to Precision Care for any unit to be opened at the Southlands Road address. They also confirmed that before any unit could be opened extensive checks would be made by them to ensure that all aspects of safety for the unit had been addressed.

On this basis the Director of Children and Young People had recently written to Ofsted to express the Council’s concern at the proposed development and asking that Ofsted keep her informed of any approach by Precision Care to Ofsted.

Supplementary question:

    Mr Trott asked whether nothing had been learned by the Council over the situation a while ago at Darwin House and the anti-social behaviour of the young people living there which had caused so many problems for local residents.   He commented that the proposal would add an extra burden to the PCSOs and that over half the crimes in Bromley were committed by people coming from outside the Borough.

Reply:

The Portfolio Holder responded that the Council had certainly learnt some lessons from what happened with Charles Darwin House and as expressed in the above reply the Director of Children & Young & People had already written expressing grave concerns at the proposal.  He also noted Mr Trott’s other comments.  Councillor Bloom assured Mr Trott and local residents that as Portfolio Holder and a local Ward Member he was very concerned at the situation.  Members were displeased with the way Precision Care had handled the application as they appeared not have considered the implications for local people. 

Councillor Jenkins as a local Ward Member was invited to comment and he also echoed similar strong objections.  He briefly outlined the reasons why he felt this location would be totally inappropriate including the close proximity of four residential care/nursing homes and the existing problems there had been with youths and anti social behaviour in nearby Chatterton Road where a Dispersal Area had been operating.  He also highlighted the way the applicants had referred to the proposal for a children’s home rather than, as stated on Precision Care’s Website, an adolescent home which indicated an older age range.   Councillor Jenkins advised that he had written to Ofsted objecting to the proposal and had been in contact with the Managing Director of Precision Care with whom he had a meeting next week to discuss the matter.

The Director of Adult and Community Services explained for the record that this situation had not been brought about by the Council and was not being proposed to meet the needs of Bromley young people.  This was an application by a private company and the Council had very limited control over the situation.