Issue - meetings

To endorse the age-friendly Southwark initiative, approve the development and delivery of a co-produced action plan, commit to embedding age-friendly principles across council strategies, services and communications, and recognise a recognisable borough-wide identity.

RESOLVED:

That cabinet:

1.  Noted that this work is being led by the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing with officer leadership from the Assistant Chief Executive, Strategy and Communities, supporting strategic alignment across the council.

2.  Approved the establishment of a cross-council officer working group to coordinate internal delivery of the Age-Friendly Southwark initiative, align departmental activity, and monitor progress against an action plan. Representation from the voluntary and community sector and older residents will be integrated to support ongoing co-production.

3.  Endorsed the continued role of the Older Persons Age-Friendly Forum as a standing advisory group of older residents and carers who will inform, shape and challenge the initiative over time.(Feedback from the first forum meeting can be found in Appendix 1 of the report).

4.  Endorsed the five existing working groups and note the progress made over the last period on Housing, Transport, Community Support & Health Services, Outdoor Spaces and Buildings, and Respect & Inclusion, and note the early actions being progressed (See Appendix 2 of the report).

5.  Approved and supported raising the profile of the programme to establish Age-Friendly approaches as a corporate priority which are routinely considered in work across the organisation.

6.  Endorsed the establishment of a £50,000 budget for a communication and engagement campaign targeted and co-produced with the older community to link them with relevant services and support, and challenge age-related stigma. This will include the development of an Age friendly identity that can bring the work of the council and our partners together.

7.  Endorsed the use of the Age-Friendly budget to support engagement activities and events that strengthen the Age-friendly initiative. This will include resourcing participation and delivering events and activities that connect older people to services and opportunities.

8.  Endorsed the allocation of project management resource from the council’s Change Team to help drive the work forward over the next 12 months.

9.  Noted that all funding decisions are from current budgets within the Community Engagement and Change Business Units within the Strategy and Communities department.