A KEY Taunton housing site for vulnerable adults will soon be under new management following a decision by Somerset Council.

Eliot Court, which lies off Parmin Close in Taunton, was opened in 2018 and comprises 12 self-contained flats for people with learning disabilities.

The current provider has served notice on the council that it can no longer provide on-site support for each of the residents, with its contract due to expire on March 31.

The council has now confirmed a new provider will take over after this date under a new contract, which will run until at least April 2029.

Each of the 12 flats within Eliot Court are equipped with “wet floor shower rooms” and has access to a communal garden, with two of the flats being fully wheelchair accessible.

While LiveWest serves as the landlord for each Eliot Court tenant (and the neighbouring Tennyson Court site for elderly residents), a third party provides any on-site care or support, which is intended to “meet people’s assessed eligible needs and promote independence”.

George Bray, the council’s senior commissioning officer, said that the model of care currently being offered at this location was in high demand and would continue to deliver improvements in vulnerable people’s quality of life.

In his written report (which was signed off by the adult social care portfolio holder, Councillor Sarah Wakefield), he said: “The flats are Eliot Court are in continual high demand due to their location in Taunton, the self-contained nature of the flats, the flat sizes and the accessibility of the accommodation as the building has full lift access.

“Therefore, there are often only very short periods between tenants moving out and new people moving in.

“The supported living model of support and accommodation at Eliot Court is one in which we wish to continue and develop, with a separate landlord to care provider, self-contained accommodation but with the option of some shared/communal space, including a lounge and garden area, which are used positively for building social networks.

“The accommodation is close to local amenities, transport and opportunities which are in line with the model of supported living we wish to pursue.

“The current contract for the shared (sometimes also referred to as ‘core’ or ‘background’ hours) will expire on March 31 as the current provider has given notice to state they do not wish to extend or continue with the provision.

“Therefore, a procurement exercise is required to source another provider.”

The new contract is expected to cost the council £257,650 per year and will run for five years, with the possibility of future extensions – meaning the contract could be worth just under £1.3m in total (not adjusting for inflation).

The identity of the new provider has not yet been made public citing commercial sensitivity.