Agenda item

To consider the attached report.

The Assistant Director Community Services and Safety, Julie Chandler introduced the six monthly progress report on the implementation of the ageing population action plan.

The Committee noted that in 2015/16 the Council carried out a comprehensive study into the impact of an ageing population in the Epping Forest District, which generated over 40 recommendations for the Council and a range of statutory and voluntary sector partners, to progress. These were translated into a detailed action plan, which has been in progress since October 2016 and it was agreed that the Communities Select Committee would be provided with six monthly updates on the progress and successful implementation of key areas of work.

The study suggested that the district was already home to 52,000 people aged 50 and over, of which nearly 2000 residents were living with dementia, and it was predicted that by 2025, these numbers would increase to 58,000 people aged over 50, and 3,500 people with dementia.

The study therefore enabled the Council to increase its understanding of the future resident population and provided the opportunity for the Council to consult their existing older residents, on their expectations and service needed as they aged, providing an insight into preferences and choices that they would ultimately make, in respect of their future lives in the Epping Forest District.

All statutory and voluntary sector partners involved in the study were delighted with the work undertaken, as the findings had been used to improve and develop their own services to the public.

The Committee noted that:

·         Work was progressing well in the development of Dementia Friendly Communities across the district including Dementia Friendly businesses, with a business recognition scheme currently being launched;

·         Projects to reduce social isolation were being rolled out as a pilot in Buckhurst Hill;

·         Five strength and balance classes had been set up in Buckhurst Hill, Debden, Epping, Ongar and Waltham Abbey, as a collaborative approach to health improvement, through Public Health funding;

·         An Active Living programme for inactive adults was being expanded to five locations across the district;

·         Four ‘Stay Well’ events for older people would be taking place throughout November 2018;

·         Officers were looking to develop more work with Public Houses across the district to offer free meals to older people. It was noted that this service was currently being provided in Fyfield and Buckhurst Hill;

·         As part of the Council’s Customer Services transformation, Officers were looking at providing paperless and hardcopy ways to communicate with older people;

·         The Council was at an early stage in developing a new corporate website and would be implementing online platforms for older people to access services; and

·         The Council was also working with NHS colleagues to develop digital support initiatives, to enable people to live in their homes for longer.

Councillor Whitehouse asked what were the Community Champions as mentioned in the action plan. She was told that these champions would be volunteers, who would initially work with the Council to identify gaps in services in local wards areas and latterly to help signpost those in communities who suffer from loneliness and isolation. Unlike Community Agents that work with people who had been referred to them.

Councillor Patel noticed that there had been a disconnect between ECC and the District, but they now seemed to be working together more.

Councillor Whitbread noted that local businesses were being made dementia friendly, how were they made aware? Ms Chandler replied that they had to start from scratch and visit each business and train them. Councillor Patel added that once a business had been trained it would roll this out to other businesses.

Councillor Whitbread asked if there had been engagement with schools on this. She was told the Youth Council had had training on ‘Dementia Friends’.

RESOLVED:

That the Communities Select Committee noted the progress report on the implementation of the Impact of An Ageing Population Action Plan.