Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the Adult Social Care and Services scrutiny meeting held on 16 September 2020 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Director of Adult Social Care and Health Integration will provide the Panel with a verbal update regarding the integration of Health and Social Care.

No Update was provided.

Recommendation:
To consider the content of the report and agree conclusions and recommendations for submission to the Executive.

The Chair presented the final draft report to the panel in respect to the review of Physical activity for older people (65+).

As discussed at the last meeting, the panel were aware that the draft report was due to be submitted for approval in March 2020 however due to the outbreak of Covid-19 all scrutiny meetings were suspended.

At the meeting on 16 September 2020, officers provided an update in light of Covid-19 and this information had been added to the report.

The Panel were asked to agree the conclusions as set out at paragraphs 123-136 and to approve the draft recommendations prior to the report being submitted to the Overview and scrutiny Board for approval.

During the meeting, a panel member asked whether a recommendation could be included within the final report where the Licensing department could provide councillors with a list of taxi providers who hire accessible taxis'.  The panel were in agreement and this recommendation would be included in the report to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

AGREED-

1. That the final draft report be approved.

2. That the following recommendations be approved:

·        That local physical activity initiatives be developed to promote the health benefits for older people, e.g. ‘Month of Walking’. These should be publicised through a combination of on-and-off-line methods. Although the exact number of activities should be determined by the service area, the Panel recommends at least four per year (quarterly), with the first four being established by Spring/Summer 2021. Such initiatives should measure participation levels to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

·        That a resources guide be created for individuals and groups that shows walking routes and details planned walk schedules. This should be made available in Council buildings and on the Council’s website. This guide should be created and made available by Spring/Summer 2021. Creating this guide could encourage existing walking groups to adopt a joined-up approach to enhance the experience further for participants.

·        That a feasibility study be undertaken, with VCS organisations, into the creation of a single resource showing activities available to older people in Middlesbrough. If viable, the resource should be created and made available by the end of 2021.

·        That Everyone Active undertakes an analysis of its membership to determine the level of demand for gym use, and the feasibility of introducing a membership tier, for over 65s. This should be completed by Spring 2021.

·        That a feasibility study be undertaken to establish if transport could be provided to over 65s to increase participation in physical activities. The feasibility study should include all key stakeholders, such as licensed providers and voluntary agencies, and be completed by Summer/Autumn 2021.

·        That, regarding dementia awareness, a further (online) training session be arranged for Elected Members by March 2021. In addition, an online training session/module should be established and placed on Middlesbrough Learns by Autumn/Winter 2021.

·        That explorative analysis be undertaken by Spring/Summer 2021 to establish interest levels amongst older Carers for subsidised gym membership. Should the analysis show this to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20/14

The Democratic Services Officer provided a report with regard to the agreed work programme which was agreed by the Panel on 29 July 2020.

The report was an aid for the panel to determine which topics/ updated would be scheduled for each meeting.

The Chair did advise that the Panel that this was a working document and may change depend on availability of officers/ external organisations and the direction the panel takes based on discussions.

AGREED- That the report be noted.

No update was provided.

A panel member raised the health benefits of allotments for older people.  There was concern that some allotments were overgrown and not being kept correctly and the costs of allotments was raised.

Following the discussion, it was agreed that the Panel member would forward their request to re-look at allotments to the Environment Scrutiny Panel.

In terms of health benefits, the Democratic services officer would seek clarity in the number of vacant allotments and circulate this to the Panel.

AGREED- That the issue be noted and progressed as outlined above.