Hopes for elderly day care dashed

From the archive, first published Friday 23rd Nov 2001.

Hopes that Oseney Court, the former Oxford old people's home, would be used again for elderly care have been dashed.

In 1999, Oxfordshire County Council took the controversial decision to close the Botley Road home, and 38 elderly residents were moved elsewhere.

Last year, the building became a temporary home for asylum seekers, but they moved out when the property flooded.

The council is now close to completing a deal to sell the site to Warden Housing Association -- but there will only be added provision for the disabled, not the elderly.

In May, county councillors agreed that a condition should be attached to the terms of the sale to provide either a day-care facility for the elderly and/or accommodation for people nominated by the director of social services.

Councillors agreed with Liberal Democrat Cllr Janet Godden's motion that proposals for elderly day care on site should be welcomed.

But the Oxford Mail has discovered that social services officers have decided not to pursue the plan to provide facilities for the elderly, choosing instead to help the disabled. In a letter to city councillor Susanna Pressel, who represents West Ward, the county council's assistant director of social services, Nicholas Welch, said day care was not needed on the site because of existing day care facilities covering the area.

County councillor John Power, who represents the Oxford West division, claimed that the decision not to proceed with the plan to help the elderly had not been taken by councillors, and that the matter should be returned before a council meeting for further consideration.

Cllr Power added: "There are not enough facilities for the elderly in West Oxford. I am sure the Oseney Court Action Committee will consider legal action to challenge this decision."

However, county council solicitor Chris Impey said no irregularity had taken place.

Social services spokesman Mike Biddulph said final contract negotiations for the sale of Oseney Court were now being completed. The sale could raise £2.1m.

Mr Biddulph added: "Alongside new housing, there will be specially-adapted wheelchair flats for people over 18 with multiple disabilities. These are homes for life and there is a real lack of these kinds of facilities."

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