To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 25 November 2015, as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2015, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered.

There were no additional declarations in interest.

The Chairman welcomed the information that 30 people were advised to contact the Council for weight management services on top of the 79 referred formally. The Chairman advised that the District’s Health Priorities would be considered at the next meeting of the Board.

The actions from the previous meeting were noted.

The Community Planning & Projects Officer gave a presentation on the creation and progress of the Older People’s Sub-Group of the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). The Sub-Group was established following an LSP Development Day in 2015 where it was recognised that the number of Older People in the District was due to rise 22% before 2020. The Sub-Group first met in September 2015, chaired by Mark Whyman from Age UK. Partners included Imago, West Kent Housing Association, Sevenoaks District Seniors Action Forum, Sevenoaks Churches Together, Kent Fire & Rescue, Kent County Council and the West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

He explained that the Sub-Group’s key priorities were to create an action plan, identify and secure external funding, co-ordinate and monitor targets and to act as a forum for Older People’s issues. A Task & Finish Group had been established to develop a single agency referral system, address gaps in services and look at finding. They were investigating whether Advice Together could provide architecture for a referral system and Kent Fire & Rescue would be preparing a pilot.

In response to questions, the Community Planning & Projects Officer explained that the Sub-Group was working hard to engage partners from across the District and hoped to give a presentation to the Town and Parish Councils Forum shortly. He welcomed the suggestion to involve Kent Police as the Thanet pilot multi-agency referral system had a whole section based on safety. Dartford, Gravesham & Swanley CCG would be invited to the Sub-Group.

Members raised areas where the Sub-Group could improve services to Older People including isolation particularly in rural areas, awareness of the need for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and downsizing while it was practicable.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Healthy Living Project Officer gave a presentation on Dementia Friendly Communities within the Sevenoaks District, which set out the challenges faced by those with dementia, the work progressed to become more dementia friendly and what future work was planned. The Officer explained that nationally there would be a 25% increase in those with dementia aged over 65 by 2020 while Sevenoaks was one of four districts in Kent who expected to see the greatest increase in an ageing population. Work had included three Dementia Friendly Forums, consultative and community awareness events, six new dementia cafes, Carer Support Groups and the training of Council staff, particularly those on the frontline. The Shop Safe Stay Safe ID system was launching during March 2016. Events and training would continue to be given, with taxi drivers due to be trained in April 2016.

A Member asked whether there were plans for further forums to be available across more of the District. The Healthy Living Project Officer explained that they were meant to cover wide geographic areas and so the forums could be held in different venues in the future to reflect this.

Members discussed options for those who faced the most severe forms of dementia. The Vice Chairman noted that the Council had contributed to a high dependency facility in Wilmington.

Action 1: The Healthy Living Project Officer to investigate a possible visit for members of the Board to the Wilmington High Dependency Care Centre.

Responding to a Member’s question, the Healthy Living Project Officer confirmed that dementia friendly businesses could apply to receive a logo to prove their status. A register of the businesses would become available through the Kent Dementia Care website and this would include domiciliary services.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Cllr. Parkin informed the Board that the “Coping with dementia as a family” event held on 24 February had been very productive and had received positive feedback from those in attendance, who were pleased it had been held. Cllr. McArthur agreed but suggested the two weeks’ notice given to Councillors was too short.

Cllr. Clark informed Members that he had attended a meeting of the District Advisory Board for Children’s Centres. However he had some concerns with their action plan of which 10 of the 21 points were red, 10 amber and 1 green. He said that they were not making enough progress and were struggling. They were doing good work but with the wrong people. Cllr. Brookbank added that he was also aware of the difficulties and noted that they had gone through three reorganisations.

Cllr. McArthur advised that as Mental Health Champion she would be meeting with Jill Roberts from West Kent Mind and dementia training would continue, including to taxi drivers.

Cllr. Brookbank updated the Board that at the last meeting of the KCC Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee they had considered emotional wellbeing. The Committee had improved the terms of the new contract before it went to tender, meaning that the Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services aspect would have revised targets to achieve. He had a particular concern at how far Tier 4 elderly patients would be taken for a mental health bed, though this had improved. Finally he explained that a contract had been awarded to Virgin Care for patient transport, though there was still an outstanding challenge to be heard at the High Court which delayed its commencement.

The Chairman reported that the Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Health and Wellbeing Board would be having a meeting specifically concerning Swanley as part of the Council’s development of the Swanley and Hextable Masterplan.

The Board agreed that items on District Health Priorities, the District Health Deal and how Planning Policy fitted with health would be considered on 11 May 2016. The items on Early Help and Prevention update and the Housing Survey (including older persons element) were to be moved to the revised meeting date of 27 September 2016.

Action 2: Copies of the District Health Deal to be circulated to all Members of the Board.

It was also agreed that an item on Children’s Centres be added for 9 November 2016 while a further update on older people and dementia was to be given on 8 February 2017.