Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Area Action Partnership Coordinator, Transformation and Partnerships, Durham County Council that provided an update in relation to the work taking place to enhance the interface between Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) and the Health and Wellbeing Board to improve the alignment of AAP developments and investments and the priorities of the Partnerships (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Area Action Partnership Coordinator advised that the Chairman had attended a meeting with the County Durham Dementia Action Alliance (CDDAA) to raise awareness of plans around the County. The Board were informed that the contract with the Alzheimer’s Society had been extended and that AAPs were looking at redeveloping plans to look at schools and isolation.  The Chairman added that it had been a very useful meeting and asked that the board members undertake dementia friends training at one of their next meetings.  She commented that everyone could make small changes that would make a big difference.  She advised of the taxi driver training that had taken place in the County and meetings that had taken place with the business sector.  She went on to suggest that an audit of buildings would be useful to see if they were dementia friendly.  The Chairman was also aware of some car parks that had forget-me-not bays and suggested that some empty shops spaces could be used as a quiet areas. 

The Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, DCC said that the blue badge scheme as looking to be extended to further support those with dementia.

The Area Action Partnership Coordinator went on to inform the Board that the social isolation would be looked at by all AAPs and that they would manage a fund to support community led initiatives.  The Board were also informed that Age UK had put forward a strong bid for Social Action Funding and were awaiting the outcome.

Councillor Gunn praised the excellent work carried out by the AAPs in the local communities and with the voluntary sector.  With regards to social isolation funding she had concerns that young people were also vulnerable and often isolated.

The Corporate Director of Adult and Health Services, DCC explained that the funding through the improved BCF was for adult social care and currently the fund was for those aged 60+, although the criteria was still being developed.  The Area Action Partnership Co-ordinator advised of a Youth Fund that encouraged positive activities and that could target children and young people who may be isolated.

The Area Manager Community Risk Management, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service explained that as part of the safe and wellbeing assessment they could identify socially isolated people but he pointed out that that they were not always elderly people.  He advised that often people who did not have any family were isolated at a younger age.

Resolved:

(i)            That the work taking place be noted;

(ii)          That the improved alignment of work of the AAPs to the Health and Wellbeing Board be noted;

(iii)         That the work by the AAPs during 2017/18 on addressing the Health and Wellbeing agenda be noted;

(iv)         That the shared work that AAPs and partners are currently working on be noted.