To approve the production of a County-wide strategy for older people in Herefordshire through engagement with the Local Strategic Partnership and key stakeholder organisations.

THAT  (a)            the decision to progress with the production of an Older People’s Strategy in association with the Local Strategic Partnership be approved;

(b)              the Strategy be produced in accordance with the inspection criteria as identified by the Audit Commission in its publication ‘Older People – Building a strategic Approach (Independence and Well-being)’; and

(c)               the Strategy be formulated using PRINCE 2 project management principles and be completed (subject to resources being identified) within a 12 month timeframe;

(d)              a progress report be tabled at January 2006 Cabinet Meeting; and

(e)              Councillor Mrs LO Barnett be designated as the Older People’s Champion

1.                  Herefordshire’s older population is significantly higher than the national or regional average.  A discrepancy that is set to become more marked.

2.                  Herefordshire has some plans relating to Older People but their value is limited through a lack of corporate and inter-agency linkage.  It is probable this reduces the opportunity to develop and deliver services that meet the wider needs and aspirations of the target group.

3.                  New direction set by central government in for example ‘Opportunity Age’ and ‘Independence, Well-being and Choice’ requires that these wider needs are addressed, with more emphasis being placed on prevention, inclusion and partnership working.

4.                  Older residents themselves have different expectations to previous generations including the right to participate fully in life and the communities that surround them.

5.                  Like other local authorities Herefordshire Council needs to lead the way in taking forward government direction and residents expectations.  It now also needs to do so in the context of the Local Area Agreement (LAA), which includes a “Healthier Community and Older Peoples” theme.  The negotiations regarding the LAA to be concluded by the end of March 2006 will need to take into account the identified needs within the Older People’s Strategy in order that the resources required for delivery can be secured as part of the agreement.

Not to proceed.