Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support submitted a report which considered how East Herts could make the District a good one to grow older in.  Following consideration of the issue at Community Scrutiny Committee on 22 November 2011, Members agreed to review the issue in an effort to initiate a discussion with the Executive to establish the Council’s resilience and sustainability in terms of an “ageing well” and the “later life” agenda. 

An overview of the population from a national and local perspective was detailed in the report now submitted.  The report acknowledged that the Council did not have direct liability for issues such as retirement pensions or NHS health care, but that the “knock on“ effect that constrained public finances could have on second and third tier authorities.  That said, the Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support suggested that strategic questions centred on key themes set out in the report now submitted, be the basis on which to structure discussion with the Executive.  The Executive Member stressed the need for a partnership and “joined up” approach in terms of the Council’s policies and best practice.

Councillor P Gray urged Members to establish a general picture on how the Council approached age, what people wanted and what the Council could do in the future.  Councillor J Mayes suggested that the Church groups be approached given their involvement with the elderly and referred to their wish to retain financial independence.  Councillor C Rowley commented on the need for intergenerational involvement.  Councillor P Ruffles referred to the rural element and problems of isolation particularly so, should there be an issue of ethnicity given that cultural backgrounds could have serious issues for small groups of people.  Councillor K Crofton reaffirmed the issue of the Council’s points system and the need to keep people together.

Members supported the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) Corporate Management Team and Senior Officers be asked to look at best practice around the “ageing well” agenda and to report back  to Community Scrutiny Committee on 28 August 2012 on what action the Council might take and the financial implications of such action;

(B)       an informal Member Group of six be established to look at Members’ role within respective wards; and

(C)       the Council continue to work with its partners to establish where it can be of mutual help to one another.