§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the expenditure of £407,000 or more under joint funding by the Wandsworth Borough Council and Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Area Health Authority for a residential hostel to accommodate 16 mentally handicapped persons is in accordance with his advice on the joint funding 498W of projects; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThis is a matter for the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Area Health Authority (Teaching). Block allocations for the financing of personal social services projects are made to individual area health authorities; and it is for them to select schemes in consultation with the local authority concerned, bearing in mind that these should make a better contribution in terms of total health care than if the funds available had been applied directly to health services. The total expenditure envisaged in this case includes such items as the costs of the site, loose furniture and other equipment, which are not covered in the Department's cost allowances.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate of capital cost per place provided he uses in guiding plans for the provision of (a) residential homes, (b) hostel accommodation and (c) special home units by local authorities and area health authorities for accommodating the mentally handicapped back in the community.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Department's cost allowances for residential accommodation for mentally handicapped adults related to the standards recommended in Local Authority Building Note No. 8 (HMSO March 1973) are as follows:
Basic accommodation £ 16 residents allow … … 106,055 17 residents allow … … 109,485 18 residents allow … … 112,945 19 residents allow … … 116,400 20 residents allow … … 119,865 21 residents allow … … 123,290 22 residents allow … … 126,815 23 residents allow … … 130,210 24 residents allow … … 133,670 Additional accommodation. For additional accommodation approved by the Department allow £134.5 per square metre. These allowances relate to net building costs and exclude the cost of the sites external and abnormal works, loose furniture and equipment, professional fees and any additional costs appropriate to the requirements of individual schemes.