'Surplus' care home and day centre set to be put on sale

A former care home in Paisley will be declared “surplus” to requirements and put up for sale by Renfrewshire Council – if the green light is given by elected members this week.

The axe fell on Montrose Care Home in Heriot Avenue, Foxbar, earlier this year after members of the integration joint board – responsible for oversight of Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) – voted 6-2 to close the facility.

The controversial measure, which was the subject of a protest, was taken in a bid to cut costs against the backdrop of a challenging financial picture for the HSCP and, it was estimated, pulled in a saving of almost £400,000.

Renfrewshire Council has since carried out an options appraisal for the shuttered facility, which did not identify any potential for the organisation or a partner service to use the existing building.

As a result, the local authority commissioned a specialist agency team to gain a better understanding of the demand for a private care operator to take on the property, with a targeted marketing exercise now set to take place.

But the step will need to be given the go ahead by councillors on the infrastructure, land and environment policy board on Wednesday.

A report, which will be considered at the meeting, explained: “Following an option appraisal carried out with relevant council services and partner organisations, no known demand for the Montrose Care Home and Day Centre has been identified.

“Given the decision by HSCP to cease their operated service, the building is now empty of residents … the recommendation of this report is that the board agree to declare the property surplus to council requirements and to move towards marketing the property for sale.

“A further report will then be brought back to the board with the outcomes of the marketing exercise in early 2025 for the council to reach a decision on next steps.”

The majority of residents, who previously called Montrose their home, moved on to Hunterhill and Renfrew care homes in recent months.