Agenda item

(Director of Communities) to consider the attached report.

The Assistant Director of Community Services and Safety, J Chandler, reported on the implementation of the impact of An Aging Population Action Plan. The Council had carried out a comprehensive study during 2015 / 16, which had generated over 40 recommendations for the Council and various statutory and voluntary sector partners to address. The resulting action plan was launched in October 2016 and this report provided an update on the progress of key areas of work. A consultation of over 300 local people aged 55 – 95 from a range of demographics and areas of the District focussed on three main themes which were:

·       Health and Wellbeing;

·       Living in the Epping Forest District (EFD); and

·       Communication and Engagement.

Detailed progress was given on a 6-monthly basis on these recommendations under the three themes of which there were nine under Health and Wellbeing (H&W), twelve under Living in the EFD, and seven under Communication and Engagement.

Special mention was given on recommendation 1 under H&W on the Council’s interaction with various support groups to improve support for older people through early intervention and (preventative) health improvement. On item 2, Dementia Action Alliance was now set up in the District, but more work was needed to look after the people with dementia in the community. On items 4 and 7, a new Active Living programme had been successfully set up in Waltham Abbey and Theydon Bois.

Under the Living in the EFD theme, for item 4 the Communities Director, A Hall, was looking into setting up a minimum ‘Sheltered Housing Standard’ for the Council’s sheltered housing assets. Recommendation 7 to monitor when assisted bin collections had not been taken up was already recorded by the waste contractor for Neighbourhoods, so sharing of this information would be discussed.

The recommendations under the Communication and Engagement theme were to address the potential isolation of the ageing population and that it was important for such individuals to meet someone. Linking into community safety work, recommendation 5 dealt with the establishment of a network of older people to champion ‘Resilience’ across the District. Working through local parish and town councils, the Council would link with them to help source champions for the ‘Resilience Project’.

Councillor A Mitchell said that as the Careline and Telecare services was outsourced, where was the new provider’s main office situated, to which J Chandler said she would let her know later.

Councillor J H Whitehouse said that there were various organisations for older people locally, like University of the Third Age (U3A), and what extent these were being mapped. She noted that J Chandler was talking about setting up new activities, but accessible transport was a big issue as not all older people were mobile and still drove. She commented on the decreasing bus service provision in the District on which she had received complaints from local residents about the unreliable service on some bus routes, and asked if some transport funding could be provided. She also asked if the Volunteers Essex website could be promoted. J Chandler replied that Community Services would be carrying out a mapping exercise on local organisations / activities. Essex County Council was currently reviewing community transport but the Council had not received any information back on this consultation yet. Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) did offer a community transport so she would see if they could be involved.

W Marshall asked if vulnerable people were identified and treated as a priority, to which C Wiggins replied, yes. CST did record any reports received. These were referred to the correct support services and VAEF to get an emergency report done. In respect to criminal activity e.g. from bogus officers, a great deal of support was offered to vulnerable people and support for victims.

Councillor R Brookes asked if they were involved in the referral of people to sports centres. J Chandler replied this was the case either via GP referral or for cardiac rehabilitation. Active Living activities was an alternative choice for those who did not want to go to leisure / sports centres.

Councillor J H Whitehouse asked if an update would be presented at future meetings and it was noted that this was planned to be on a 6 month basis.

            Agreed:

            That the progress report be noted.