A cross-party group of North Yorkshire councillors met with staff at a celebrated “extra care” scheme in Leyburn during a fact-finding mission.

Kirkwood Hall, run by Broadacres Housing Association, delivers a successful care solution, and was visited last week by members of a North Yorkshire Council committee tasked with scrutinising care, independence, and housing.

The guided tour gave councillors the opportunity to gather information on the ground as part of their remit to review care services across North Yorkshire.

Councillors from the Conservatives, Labour, Green Party and Liberal Democrats were joined by Dementia Forward CEO Jill Quinn and Leyburn town councillors for the visit at Kirkwood Hall, which enables residents to live independently while receiving support and care when needed.

Chair of the council’s Care and Independence and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Leyburn councillor Karin Sedgwick said: “Care, independence and housing are the key components of the work of our committee. Therefore, extra care facilities that allow for independent living, such as Kirkwood Hall, are of major interest to our group members.

“I am glad that councillors representing various communities around North Yorkshire were able to attend, ask questions and share comments and feedback.”

Scarborough Councillor Eric Broadbent, vice chair of the committee, added: “In addition to the bungalows and apartments available for residents at Kirkwood Hall, the scheme offers what is known as step up/step down rooms, which extend support to patients after leaving hospital, resulting in earlier discharges.

“This is a valuable and essential service, especially in this day and age when there is a high demand for hospital beds.”

Helmsley Councillor George Jabbour said: “I have been to a number of extra care facilities across the county, like Bransdale View in Helmsley. The remarks that I keep hearing from residents about these pioneering initiatives are very positive. It is fantastic that North Yorkshire is at the forefront of developing care solutions.” Broadacres Housing Association director, Andy Powell described extra care as a “demonstration of the powerful partnership with North Yorkshire Council”.

He also welcomed the fact that “councillors are taking the time to find out more about extra care given that it presents an effective solution to provide older people with further options for care while retaining their independence.”