Slater Court, Ellon

Thank you for your follow-up enquiry regarding the Net Present Value (NPV) assessment and the proposed upgrades at Slater Court.

At this stage, we are unable to provide a detailed breakdown of estimated costs for each category of spend, as this information is considered commercially sensitive. Sharing such figures publicly could impact future procurement processes and contractor negotiations. However, we can confirm that the NPV calculation reflects indicative costs associated with significant upgrades and anticipated investment needs across the sheltered housing estate. .

In terms of legal requirements:

• Legally required upgrades include compliance with current fire safety regulations (e.g., fire alarms and emergency lighting), accessibility standards under the Equality Act 2010, and health and safety obligations.
• Discretionary upgrades may include enhancements such as sprinkler systems, which, while not currently mandated in all existing buildings, are considered best practice for improving resident safety.

Where upgrades relate to the ongoing maintenance or replacement of existing systems (such as lifts or heating), these are assessed as part of the Council’s asset management strategy. The Council operates centralised contracts across the wider housing estate to ensure consistency, efficiency, and value for money. These contracts are competitively tendered and reviewed upon expiry to ensure they continue to deliver both cost-effectiveness and high service standards.

We hope this provides clarity and assurance. Should further information become available for public release, it will be shared through the appropriate channels.

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the Net Present Value (NPV) assessment and supplier contract management.

There is currently no overdue maintenance or outstanding repairs at Slater Court. The Council, as landlord, has a duty to ensure that all properties meet the required standards, and this responsibility is taken seriously. Regular inspections and planned maintenance are carried out to maintain the safety and condition of the building.

The NPV calculation is not based on overdue maintenance but is primarily influenced by factors such as the need for significant capital investment, periods of void rent loss, and projected long-term repairs and maintenance costs. These elements are considered to ensure a realistic and forward-looking financial assessment of the property.

In terms of procurement, the Council operates centralised contracts for maintenance and improvement works. These contracts are designed to deliver efficiencies and value for money, both in terms of cost and service quality. Contracts are reviewed and renewed upon expiry to ensure they remain competitive and continue to meet the Council’s operational needs.

We hope this provides clarity, and we appreciate your continued interest and engagement.

Thank you for your question regarding the potential installation of sprinklers at Slater Court.

While the Council has acknowledged the importance of enhancing fire safety measures, including the possible installation of sprinkler systems, we are unable to share any estimated or potential costs in the public domain at this stage. This information is considered commercially sensitive, as it could impact future procurement processes and contractor negotiations.

Should any decisions be made and works proceed, relevant updates will be communicated through the appropriate channels in line with the Council’s commitment to transparency and due process.

Thank you for your query regarding the future of the Slater Court building.

At this time, no decisions have been made regarding the closure of the scheme, this would be considered by Communities Committee on the 4th of July. Should any changes be proposed in the future, including potential alternative uses for the building, these would be subject to the Council’s formal disposal process. This process ensures that any decisions are made transparently and in accordance with established procedures.

Thank you for your enquiry regarding Slater Court and the other sheltered housing complexes in Ellon.

All currently available financial information, including details on maintenance and upgrade expenditures, is published on the main Engage page. While this may not fully meet the scope of your request, it reflects the extent of what is publicly available at this time.

We can confirm that at Slater Court, several key upgrades have been undertaken in recent years. These include the replacement of the lift, refurbishment of bathrooms, and updates to other essential components of the building infrastructure.

Regarding occupancy and comparative costs for Modley and Meadowvale, we acknowledge your observations. Slater Court indeed benefits from a central location with excellent access to local services, which contributes to its higher occupancy levels. In contrast, Modley and Meadowvale are situated further from town amenities, which may influence their occupancy rates.

We appreciate your interest and engagement, and we remain committed to transparency and ongoing communication. 

Thank you for your question regarding Slater Court. We want to clarify that no final decision has been made about the future of this or any other sheltered housing scheme at this stage.

As part of our strategic review, we assessed all schemes across Aberdeenshire using four key criteria:

1. NPV - Cost of ongoing maintenance and investment needs
2. Demand
3. Tenants views of Place 
4. Alternative accommodation in the location

While Slater Court is indeed centrally located and not considered low demand, the review must take into account all four criteria to ensure long-term sustainability and suitability for future tenants. This includes the level of investment required to meet modern standards.

We understand the importance of Slater Court to the Ellon community and will continue to engage with residents and stakeholders before any decisions are made.

The scorecards were developed specifically as internal briefing materials for elected members to support their understanding and decision-making. They were not intended for public distribution.

The reason these documents have not been shared more widely is due to data protection considerations. Some of the information contained within the scorecards is drawn from the Place Survey and includes data that, while not directly named, could potentially identify individuals who participated—particularly in smaller schemes or communities.

We are committed to transparency and will be sharing more detailed financial information relating to the schemes as soon as it becomes available and can be appropriately anonymised for public release.

Thank you for your message and for raising your concerns regarding the survey distribution and response timeframe.

Firstly, we sincerely apologise for the limited time initially provided to Slater Court tenants to complete the survey. We fully acknowledge that tenants received the survey on 3rd June, and that less than a week to respond is not sufficient—particularly for those who may need more time or support to engage with the material.

To address this, we are extending the deadline for survey responses to Sunday, 16th June, to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to participate and share their views.

We also want to clarify that the survey materials and supporting information were sent to the relevant team over a week ago with the intention that they would be printed and distributed to tenants promptly. Unfortunately, this process was delayed, and we recognise the impact this has had on tenants ability to respond in a timely and informed manner.

We understand that not all tenants have internet access or the digital skills to complete an online survey, which is why printed copies were arranged. We regret that these were not delivered sooner and are taking steps to ensure better coordination in future.

Your feedback is important, and we are committed to making this consultation process as inclusive and transparent as possible. If you or someone you know requires assistance in completing the survey, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we are here to help.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

We fully recognise that Slater Court’s location offers significant benefits—including close proximity to services, a strong sense of community, and a secure environment that many residents value. The high demand rate is a clear reflection of its popularity and the important role it plays in the lives of tenants.

However, the proposal to close Slater Court is being driven primarily by its negative Net Present Value (NPV) of approximately -£3.7 million. This figure reflects the long-term financial viability of the scheme over a 30-year period, taking into account:

• The substantial investment required to bring the building up to modern standards
• Ongoing operating and maintenance costs
• Projected rental income over time

While location and demand are important considerations, the NPV provides a consistent and objective financial measure used across all schemes to assess sustainability. Unfortunately, even with high demand, the level of investment needed at Slater Court means it is not financially viable in the long term.

We understand the challenge of finding suitable alternatives that match the benefits of Slater Court. If the closure proceeds, the council will work closely with each resident to:

Identify housing options that are as close as possible to their current community

Ensure continued access to essential services

Support social connections and wellbeing through tailored transition planning

We are committed to a compassionate, person-centred approach and welcome all feedback during the consultation period, which remains open until 16th June.

When assessing whether to invest in a housing scheme like Slater court, we use a financial tool called Net Present Value (NPV). This method calculates the long-term value of the property over a 30-year period, which is the standard term set by the Scottish Government for evaluating housing assets.

The NPV calculation includes all the required upgrades to bring the building up to modern standards—such as:

• Installation of sprinkler systems
• Lift replacements or installations
• Upgrades to heating systems
• Modernisation of fire alarms and lighting
• General improvements to meet accessibility and safety standards

If the NPV is negative or marginal, it means that the cost of investment outweighs the long-term benefit, making it financially unsustainable within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which is funded solely by tenant rents.

That said, we fully recognise that these buildings are more than just numbers—they are homes and part of the community fabric. That’s why we are currently in a formal consultation process, and no final decisions have been made. We are listening carefully to residents, families, and local stakeholders to explore all viable options.

We remain committed to ensuring that future housing needs are met, and that any changes are made with compassion, transparency, and a focus on long-term sustainability.