Agenda item
Age Friendly Communities
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Executive Summary |
According to
the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) census
data, North Norfolk is the local authority area with the
highest average age in England and Wales. With a median age of 54,
the average age of people living in North Norfolk is 14 years
higher than the national average (40 years
old).
Alignment with the UK network for Age Friendly Communities and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities will support the delivery of work by both NNDC and the North Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership (NNHWP) in developing a culture of Age Friendly Communities across the district through sustainable projects and schemes.
This alignment requires the political buy in of the Council and to align with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities there needs to be written confirmation of political support from the leader of the Council.
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Options considered
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This is the recommended option, as it would confirm commitment to supporting our demographic, which is the oldest population in the UK. It will also allow for access to peer support from other Age Friendly Communities nationally and globally, and to access resources which may not be available without the affiliations.
Age Friendly Communities and the work surrounding it already has the endorsement and support of the NNHWP and its Older Persons Working Group. In committing to this alignment it may open up opportunities to access funding for this work.
This option is not recommended as it would restrict the work of the NNHWP and its working groups in relation to Older People. Political buy-in is required to make the alignments as without it, any work completed would stand alone and be detached from national and global collaborations and there would be restricted access to support and potential resources including funding.
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Consultation(s) |
Consultation has been held with the NNHWP and its Older people working group, including public health.
The NNHWP, of which NNDC are the lead organisation, released a strategy and action plan for 2023 to 2026. The strategy was devised in consultation with partners from across statutory and voluntary organisations and charities, and three priority areas were addressed at individual workshops, which included input from wider stakeholders.
Older people were identified as a priority area and, in response, a number of actions were identified to support work in this area.
At the inaugural meeting of the NNHWP Older Peoples Working Group, it was agreed unanimously to support this action and to request the political buy-in required to make these alignments.
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Recommendations
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Cabinet to receive the report and to formally confirm
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Reasons for recommendations
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Political support and endorsement is required to enable alignment with and access to networks which will provide guidance, resources and peer support to progress the achievement of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk. With the current older demographic of the district and predicted increase of older residents in North Norfolk aligning with Age Friendly Communities will assist in developing a culture of supporting older residents and visitors to live and enjoy healthy and active later lives.
In turn, this will support other services and systems within the district, including those provided by NNDC and health services, by reducing admissions to hospital and use of resources which are better provided elsewhere, increasing community and individual resilience, helping maintain independence and improving wellbeing.
The NNWHP have identified the development of Age Friendly Communities as an action within their 2023-2026 strategy and action plan. The Partnership’s Older People Working group have agreed to support taking this task forward, alongside the work of NNDC and other partners, and support the request for political buy-in.
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Background papers
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Wards affected |
All wards |
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Cabinet member(s) |
Cllr Liz Withington & Cllr Wendy Fredericks |
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Contact Officer |
Lucy Cubitt, Service Development Officer (Early Help and prevention), 01263 516233 lucy.cubitt@north-norfolk.gov.uk |
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Links to key documents:
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Corporate Plan: |
Developing our communities: Engaged and supported individuals and communities Increase accessibility and inclusion for all Promote culture, leisure and sports
activities
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Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) |
No |
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Council Policies & Strategies |
Corporate Plan 2023-2027 North Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership Strategy 2023-2026 |
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Corporate Governance:
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Is this a key decision |
No |
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Has the public interest test been applied |
Yes |
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Details of any previous decision(s) on this matter |
None |
Decision:
Decision
RESOLVED
Cabinet to receive the report and to formally confirm
- Political commitment and support for the development of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.
- Alignment with UK network of Age Friendly Communities (Centre for better ageing).
- Alignment with the WHO Global for Age Friendly Cities and Communities, which should be evidenced by written confirmation of the political support from the leader of the Council.
Reason for the decision
Political support and endorsement is required to enable alignment with and access to networks which will provide guidance, resources and peer support to progress the achievement of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.
With the current older demographic of the district and predicted increase of older residents in North Norfolk aligning with Age Friendly Communities will assist in developing a culture of supporting older residents and visitors to live and enjoy healthy and active later lives.
In turn, this will support other services and systems within the district, including those provided by NNDC and health services, by reducing admissions to hospital and use of resources which are better provided elsewhere, increasing community and individual resilience, helping maintain independence and improving wellbeing.
Minutes:
In the absence of Cllr Withington, Portfolio Holder for Community Outreach, Cllr W Fredericks introduced this item. She outlined the definition of an age friendly community and explained that it focussed on four key aspects to help residents age well and live a good later life. Somewhere that people could stay in their homes, participate in the activities they valued and contribute to their communities for as long as possible. She added that the District had the oldest demographic in the UK, with one in three residents being over the age of 65. She concluded by saying that the Council was the first District Council to adopt this approach. As Chair of the North Norfolk Health & Wellbeing Partnership, she said that this strategy was very important and one of the sub-groups focussed on living and ageing well.
The Chairman invited Members to speak:
Cllr A Brown asked if there was any prospect of Norfolk County Council following suit in adopting this approach and if so, would this result in a review of the proposed closures of Blakeney surgery and Benjamin Court in Cromer.
Cllr Fredericks replied that representatives from the Integrated Care Board and Adult Social Services attended the Health & Wellbeing Older Persons Working Group meetings. So, findings would be fed back to them. She agreed that the County Council should adopt this approach as may people chose to retire in North Norfolk and it impacted on the provision and quality health services in Norfolk generally.
Cllr L Shires said that she welcomed this report which was very powerful. She said that it was vital that older people had access to services but also to support from each other. She said that she understood the reference to the County Council and one of the biggest issues that elderly people faced was traversing uneven pavements. She asked if there was a consultation prepared to assist with understanding the older residents in the district and what they would want to see from this strategy. The Service Development Officer (Early Help) said that an initial piece of work was underway by the Older Persons Working Group and it was intended that the Community Connector Team would be involved in various events to undertake some initial scoping work and a survey. There were also ongoing discussions with GP surgeries to assist with the scoping of any consultation. A big part of the process was speaking to ageing communities and listening to their voices.
It was proposed by Cllr W Fredericks, seconded by Cllr T Adams and
RESOLVED
To receive the report and to formally confirm
- Political commitment and support for the development of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.
- Alignment with UK network of Age Friendly Communities (Centre for better ageing).
- Alignment with the WHO Global for Age Friendly Cities and Communities, which should be evidenced by written confirmation of the political support from the leader of the Council.
Reason for the decision
Political support and endorsement is required to enable alignment with and access to networks which will provide guidance, resources and peer support to progress the achievement of Age Friendly Communities in North Norfolk.
With the current older demographic of the district and predicted increase of older residents in North Norfolk aligning with Age Friendly Communities will assist in developing a culture of supporting older residents and visitors to live and enjoy healthy and active later lives.
In turn, this will support other services and systems within the district, including those provided by NNDC and health services, by reducing admissions to hospital and use of resources which are better provided elsewhere, increasing community and individual resilience, helping maintain independence and improving wellbeing.
Supporting documents:
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