Issue - meetings

With the aid of a report by the Head of Housing Strategy to consider the Older Peoples’ Housing Strategy – “Ageing Well in Huntingdonshire: Housing and Healthy Ageing for Older People”.

Approved the contents of the draft Older People's Housing Strategy - "Ageing Well in Huntingdonshire Housing and Healthy Ageing for Older People", together with an associated action plan.

By way of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with the contents of the draft Older People's Housing Strategy - "Ageing Well in Huntingdonshire Housing and Healthy Ageing for Older People", together with an associated action plan.

Having been informed that the strategy has been produced to examine the issues and identify the housing and related services that the District Council and Partners would need to deliver to support NHS Cambridgeshire in promoting healthy ageing and to improve the quality of life for older people the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the older people's housing strategy "Ageing Well in Huntingdonshire" together with the associated action plan be approved.

To receive a report from the Head of Housing Services providing an update on the Older Peoples’ Housing Strategy.

20 Minutes.

(Councillor K J Churchill, Executive Councillor Housing and Public Health, was in attendance for this Item).

With the aid of a report by the Head of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel reviewed the draft Older Peoples’ Housing Strategy entitled ‘Ageing Well in Huntingdonshire: Housing and Healthy Ageing for Older People 2009 – 2014’ which had been produced in partnership with NHS Cambridgeshire.

The Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health informed Members of the background to the Strategy, a previous version of which was adopted by the Council in 2005. Having noted predictions regarding the age of the District’s residents, Members were advised that the Strategy aimed to promote healthy ageing and to improve the quality of life for older people in Huntingdonshire. As 72% of individuals in the District aged 65+ years were owner-occupiers of their own homes, the Strategy sought to enable older people to live independently and to remain in their own homes wherever possible.

The Panel’s attention has been drawn to the Strategy’s objectives, which focused on the four key areas of providing support to older people, undertaking home adaptations, employing more energy efficient measures within homes and providing “extra care” services to the elderly. Members received clarification that the latter referred to sheltered accommodation for older people and included a range of communal facilities and 24 hour nursing care provided by the Primary Care Trust. However, only limited levels of accommodation were available across the District, when compared to the level of demand available. Whilst it was costly, the Panel noted that it was more affordable than other alternatives.

In response to a question by a Member on Occupational Therapists, the Executive Councillor for Housing and Public Health informed the Panel that he was currently discussing with the Primary Care Trust and Cambridgeshire Community Services the level of service available. It was agreed that the Notes of meetings, together with the Terms of Reference for the Working Group established to look at this issue, should be circulated electronically to the Panel for information purposes.

The Panel discussed the figures presented and commented on the affordability of home adaptations. Other matters discussed included the locality of sheltered accommodation and the possibility of increasing the age of individuals covered by the Strategy to 75+ years. Finally, comment was made on the low level of accommodation available to elderly couples. Having been advised that extensive consultation had been carried out on the content of the Strategy and that the Action Plan could be achieved through existing resources, the Panel

RESOLVED

  that the Older Peoples’ Housing Strategy entitled ‘Ageing Well in Huntingdonshire: Housing and Healthy Ageing for Older People 2009 – 2014’ be endorsed for submission the Cabinet.