Issue - meetings

The Cabinet considered the report of the Overview Board Task Group on issues relating to Older People. The Leader welcomed Councillor Mrs. M. Bunker, Chairman of the Task Group to the meeting. Councillor Mrs. Bunker briefly introduced the report and presented the recommendations from the Task Group and these were then considered in detail by the Cabinet.

It was recognised that the Sustainable Community Strategy and the Council Plan included older people as a priority for the Council, particularly in view of the national and local trends and the need to prepare for an ageing population by “age-proofing” services.

It was noted that a key recommendation was the production of an A to Z Directory of Services available for older people in the Bromsgrove District and that a budget had been allocated for this in the Medium Term Financial Plan. Members were informed that the County Council may now be considering the production of a similar publication but felt it was important that information specifically relating to Bromsgrove was readily available.

Following discussion it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that recommendations 1 (a and b) relating to UK Older People’s Day be approved;

(b)       that recommendations 2 (a and b) relating to free swimming at the Dolphin Centre be approved;

(c)        that recommendation 3 relating to gym facilities at the Dolphin Centre be approved;

(d)       that recommendations 4 (a and b) relating to Community Transport Services (BURT) be approved;

(e)       that recommendation 5 relating to THE TRUNK be approved;

(f)         that recommendation 6 relating to the Older People’s Strategy for Worcestershire be approved;

(g)       that recommendations 7 (a and b) relating to the mapping exercise be approved. It was noted that whilst the Older People Theme Group was no longer in existence, the work would be undertaken across the other Local Strategic Partnership Groups and in conjunction with the Champion for Older People;

(h)        that recommendations 8 (a and b) relating to an A – Z Directory of services for older people be approved;

(i)         that recommendations 9 (a and b) relating to Information Management be approved;

(j)         that recommendation 10 relating to Older People’s Champions be approved;

(k)        that recommendation 11 relating to the Older People’s Housing Strategy for Worcestershire be approved;

(l)         that in relation to recommendation 12 relating to Housing, the desire to ensure there is an appropriate housing mix in the District and that older people’s needs are catered for be endorsed, but that the limitations on the Council’s ability to achieve this be recognised and the Portfolio Holder, the Strategic Housing Manager and the Strategic Planning Manager be requested to ensure that all appropriate steps be taken to achieve the aim of the recommendation;

(m)      that recommendation 13 relating to the Lifeline Service be approved;

(n)        that recommendations 14 (a and b) relating to the Benefit Service be approved;

(o)       that recommendations 15 (a and b) relating to employment be approved;

(p)       that recommendation 16 relating to adult learning opportunities be approved;

(q)       that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 164