Agenda item

Age Friendly Communities

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).
 An Age-Friendly Community is a place that enables people to age well and live a good later life. Somewhere that people can stay living in their homes, participate in the activities they value, and contribute to their communities, for as long as possible.

 

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.

 

Options considered

 
  • To commit to the development of Age Friendly Communities and align with the UK and global networks of age friendly (cities and) communities.

 

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.

 

  • To not align with age friendly communities networks, and not commit to the development of age friendly communities and associated projects.

 

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.

 

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.


The first of these actions was the adoption of Age Friendly Communities and alignment with the UK and global networks for age friendly communities.

 

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.

 

Recommendations

 

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.

Reasons for recommendations

 

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.

 

Background papers

 
  • North Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership Strategy 2023-2026
  • Centre for Better Ageing – becoming an Age Friendly Community
  • WHO - The Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities
  • Centre for Better Ageing – The State of Ageing 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wards affected

All wards

Cabinet member(s)

Cllr Liz Withington & Cllr Wendy Fredericks

Contact Officer

Lucy Cubitt, Service Development Officer (Early Help and prevention), 01263 516233 lucy.cubitt@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Links to key documents:

 

Corporate Plan:          

Developing our communities:

Engaged and supported individuals and communities

Increase accessibility and inclusion for all

Promote culture, leisure and sports activities

Promote health wellbeing and independence for all

 

Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)                                

No

Council Policies & Strategies

Corporate Plan 2023-2027
Quality of Life 2022-2024
Community Engagement Strategy 2022-2024

North Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Partnership Strategy 2023-2026

 

Corporate Governance:

 

Is this a key decision 

No

Has the public interest test been applied

Yes

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.

 

Supporting documents: