The future of the Garden Gang: Explanatory statement by Cllr Denise Carr, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services, Health and Housing:

8.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

The closure of Normansfield Hospital led to the construction of 20 small residential homes in the community for adults with learning disabilities who had spent most of their lives in an institution - that was 10 years ago and they are happy and thriving as part of the local communities in which they live.

As for the site itself, the planning permission included a significant number of affordable homes for local residents as well as three homes for adults with learning disabilities - all designed, built and furnished to a very high standard. This is as it should be because this Council is committed to meeting the needs of all our residents, and particularly those with special needs, in a fair and just way within the resources - the public money - available to us.

Similarly, the Council has a good record in supporting people with learning disabilities into work opportunities, as evidenced by the valuable work of Power Employment and the increasingly positive response from local employers, including the Council, the RFU and West Middx hospital to name but three. There is much more that can be done here as many adults with learning disabilities are keen to work, and this is a priority for us.

The development proposals for the Avenue Centre site have been extensively consulted on with users, carers and voluntary organisations concerned with promoting the best interests of adults with learning disabilities in our community. These plans include a new Community Resource Centre which will benefit both adults with learning disabilities and others and a new GP surgery, much needed by local residents. Even with the sale of land for the GP surgery and the inclusion of a small amount of residential development, the net capital cost to the Council will now be in the region of £1.94mn - a clear demonstration of our commitment to these service users and their families and to the wellbeing of the local community.

Use of the field is protected under a section 106 agreement for use by the Community Resource Centre and it had been proposed to establish a new facility for the Garden Gang on the field. Unfortunately, the estimated costs of £50,000 in December 2005 (prepared by the previous, Tory, administration, seemingly on the back on an envelope) have proved wildly unrealistic - more accurate costing are in the region of £260,000. Some people may feel that the plan for the field should be pursued regardless of the cost, but as the Cabinet member responsible for this service, I must take account of both value for money as well as quality of provision and service outcomes when considering the use of public funds. It is for this reason that we are now proposing the Twining site as the base for the Garden Gang. Like the field, it is set in a residential location, but with a previous horticultural use, parking and office facilities, a relocation to this site could be achieved within the £50,000 provision and it would provide an excellent base.

It is some years since the the heyday of the Garden Gang when it exhibited at Hampton Court Flower Show and attracted considerable publicity and goodwill for people with learning disabilities. Sadly, staff cuts by the previous Tory administration have reduced its capacity. Nevertheless, 14 service users currently benefit from the scheme and others would like to. I have no doubt that the project can prosper again and that its future lies not as a small scheme within statutory day services, but as an independent social enterprise, which would open up opportunities to access external funding and expand. That is why the Council has asked CORLD (Creating Opportunities in Richmond for people with Learning Disabilities) to co-ordinate a Project Group to explore and develop the potential. I will be a member of this Group and will be giving it my full support.