Agenda item

The Assistant Director for Housing and Community Services presented the Shopmobility report for Members’ consideration.

It was reported that the service had been operating for thirty-five years in collaboration with the Kingfisher Shopping Centre. Due to the reduction in footfall within the Centre during the Covid-19 pandemic and a recent change of ownership there had been a reduction in the amount funding provided to the Council to support the Shopmobility service.

Members were presented with six potential options for the future running of the service as follows:

That the Shopmobility service:

1.     Remained in Car Park 3

2.     Be provided from The Canopies

3.     Be moved to Kingfisher Retail Unit – 9 George Walk

4.     Be transitioned to Kingfisher Shopping Centre

5.     Be managed by a third party

6.     Ceased to operate

Members were informed that this was an important social function that fed into the Council’s priorities and enabled users to get out and about in order for them to live independent and healthy lives.

It was noted that Option Three was the preferred option for the future of the service. This option would enable a broadening of the service, as there would no longer need to be lone working arrangements in place. This option would also result in one officer being in the Shopmobilty location and another potentially carrying out assisted shopping duties for residents.

Following the presentation of the report, Members expressed that this was a vital service for residents and highly thought of across the Borough by its users and staff.

Members agreed that Option Three was the most suitable option going forward and that this option would result in an accessible and welcoming location for users. In light of the new logo and rebranding for the Council and its commitment to working with communities, it was agreed that it was vitally important to protect this service.

The importance of promoting Shopmobility was highlighted by Members, and it was suggested that a campaign of promotion by the Councils’ Communications Team be undertaken in the press and on social media in order to inform residents of the changes to the service.

During consideration of this item the Executive Committee reported that there had been a robust debate at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 2^nd September 2024 regarding this matter. Whereby Members had suggested that as part of the consideration of the report that there should be a review of the service in the future. The Leader suggested that this was part of good governance of any Council service and that a review would be carried out at an appropriate time.

RESOLVED that

1)    Redditch Borough Council provide the Shopmobility service from a rented retail unit within the Kingfisher Centre as set out as Option 3 in the report.

RECOMMENDED that

2)    The additional costs of £46,835 the Shopmobility Service in 2024/25 be met from balances; and

3)    The ongoing position be integrated with the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2025/26 process to reflect the additional ongoing costs of £28,835 thereafter.