Agenda item

The cabinet member for adult social care and financial inclusion to present the theme for the meeting.

The cabinet member for adult care and financial inclusion, Councillor Richard Livingstone, presented the motion on the themed debate.

Councillor Maria Linforth-Hall, the majority opposition group spokesperson, responded to the cabinet member's motion and proposed Amendment A.

Following debate (Councillors David NHubber, Catherine Dale, Rosie Shimell, Leo Pollak, Octavia Lamb, Dan Whitehead, Jasmine Ali and Kieron Williams), the cabinet member for adult care and financial inclusion, Councillor Richard Livingstone, responded to the debate.

Amendment A was put to the vote and declared to be Lost.

The motion was put to the vote and declared to be Carried.

Note: This motion will be referred as a recommendation to the cabinet for consideration.

RESOLVED:

Age Friendly Borough

1.  Council assembly recognises and celebrates the significant contribution that older people in Southwark make to the life of our borough, whether it is at work, as carers or in the voluntary sector. Based on estimates produced by the Royal Voluntary Service, the contribution that over-65s in Southwark make to the borough as carers and volunteers alone is worth over £9 million every year.

2.  Council assembly notes the administration’s commitment to supporting older people in the borough to live healthy, active, independent and fulfilling lives, in their own homes and communities, for as long as possible.

3.  Council assembly welcomes Southwark’s accreditation from the World Health Organisation as the first Age Friendly Borough in London and the work that has been done to deliver the Age Friendly vision, including:

·  Implementing the Southwark Ethical Care Charter

·  Building new council homes specifically designed for older people

·  Introducing free swimming and gym use to help older people keep fit and well

·  Being recognised by the Alzheimer’s Society as a Dementia Friendly Borough and forming the new Southwark Dementia Action Alliance

·  Supporting older people to be digitally included with free 'silver surfer' IT sessions in our libraries

·  Providing targeted employment support for anyone over 50 facing barriers to getting jobs

·  Developing plans for the new centre of excellence for older people that will open in late 2018.

4.  Council assembly recognises the importance of caring for vulnerable older people in our community and welcomes the work that the council has done including:

·  Implementing our Ethical Care Charter for all home care contracts, supporting older people to stay in their own homes by offering quality care at home

·  Providing good quality re-ablement support to help more vulnerable people stay in their homes and reduce hospital re-admissions. Despite the massive cuts faced by the council, Southwark has maintained significantly better hospital discharge performance than the London average

·  Building new extra care housing, such as Tayo Situ House, and working with others, such as the development at Southwark Park Road by the United St Saviour’s Charity, to help older people to maintain their independence in supported accommodation.

5.  Council assembly recognises that the commitment to being an Age Friendly Borough spans all council services and welcomes the participation of residents in community conversations on ageing well in Southwark, which have helped to develop priorities and areas for further improvement, including:

·  Improving transport, open spaces and the public realm

·  Tackling isolation

·  Improving communication and information for older people

·  Working to break down generational barriers

·  Developing skills and employment and volunteering opportunities

·  Helping people to stay healthy and active

·  Addressing housing needs

·  Ensuring better customer service for older people.

6.  Council assembly calls on the cabinet to continue working with residents and community and voluntary groups to further improve quality of life for people in Southwark, regardless of their age.