Cabinet considers future of care homes
A company that runs good and outstanding care facilities is interested in buying Norfolk County Council's care company and 20 homes.
If Norfolk County Council agrees a deal with Stow Healthcare, residents of the homes would continue to live there, and existing Norse Care staff would move to the new owner.
The council launched a review of its care estate last year, as its contract with Norse Care Ltd was due to end in March 2026.
Since the contract started in 2011, people's care needs have become more complex and most of the 20 care homes now require modernisation. Three of the homes have closed already but are being included in the proposed sale.
The council's deputy leader, Councillor Andrew Jamieson, said: "It's vital that people in Norfolk have the care facilities they require to meet their needs.
"My aim has always been to transform and modernise our care homes; ensure value for money for adult social care; and ensure value for money for residents.
"Following a rigorous process, with advice from one of the country's leading property consultants, Stow Healthcare has emerged as the front runner. I believe the proposed deal will support our duty around sufficiency of places, under the Care Act.
"If cabinet agrees the in-principle sale, we will do further detailed work, including consultation of residents, before any final agreement is reached."
The council's cabinet meets on 26 January to decide whether to agree the "in principle" sale to Stow Healthcare, subject to the details of any sale being agreed with the director of strategic finance in consultation with the leader, deputy leader and the board of Norse Group.
The 20 homes are:
- Beauchamp House NR14 6HN
- Bishop Herbert House NR2 2SG
- Burman House (Closed) PE14 7SF
- Cranmer House NR21 8HR
- Ellacombe NR1 4BP
- Harker House NR15 2TS
- High Haven PE38 9AG
- Linden Court (Closed) IP25 6ET
- Lydia Eva Court NR31 7PZ
- Mayflower NR5 9BF
- Mountfield NR3 3LS
- Munhaven NR11 8AR
- Rebecca Court PE31 7EF
- Rose Meadow NR28 9AU
- Springdale (Closed) NR13 5QY
- St Edmund's NR17 2AW
- St Nicholas House NR19 1BG
- Sydney House NR12 9BJ
- Westfields PE37 7HE
- Woodlands PE30 3HU
