Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Service Director (Adult Social Care).

Following the submission of the final report of the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee’s Review ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’ to the Executive on 11 June 2012, a response to the recommendations of the Review has been prepared and subsequently approved by the Executive at its meeting on 16 July 2013.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the Executive Response as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

Officer contact: Vincent Fraga on 474 4401 or email: vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the Executive’s response to the ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’ Scrutiny Review which had been adopted by the Executive at its meeting on 16 July 2013.

The Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services) attended the meeting to answer Members’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was noted that there was a general drive to place more information online, however it remained important to continue to engage with older people through a variety of means.

·         There was the opportunity to explore the development of greater links between primary schools and older people.

·         There was the potential for making the language used in letters and questionnaires simpler and more readily accessible.

·         The outcome of the Review needed to be circulated widely which included the potential for it to be distributed to GP surgeries.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive’s response be noted.

(2) That the Service Director (Adult Social Care) be requested to submit a report to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee providing a breakdown of those responses received to the ‘casefinding questionnaire’.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Adult Care Services)

The attached report sets out the proposed  responses of the Executive to the recommendations contained in the final report of the Scrutiny Review ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’ which was received by the Executive on 11 June 2013.

The Executive Meeting is invited to agree to the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Vince Fraga, 0161 474 4401, vince.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Adult Social Care) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulate) inviting the Executive Meeting to consider a draft response to recommendations made by the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the ‘Loneliness and Social Isolation’ Scrutiny Review be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by members of the scrutiny review panel and the supporting staff involved in conducting the review.

To consider a report of the Adults & Communities Scrutiny Committee.

In recent years loneliness and social isolation have become issues of increased prominence at national and local level. Research indicates that loneliness and social isolation can be issues for anyone, regardless of age and background; and points to a link with wider health and wellbeing outcomes, including increased risk of physical ill health, mental health issues and substance misuse.

Whilst acknowledging that loneliness and social isolation affect a diverse demographic, the Adults and Communities Scrutiny Panel took the decision to focus on loneliness and social isolation amongst older people.

This Scrutiny Review has found that a great deal of work is already being carried out in Stockport, both by statutory organisations and a range of voluntary and community groups, to help prevent and tackle social isolation. This report wishes to acknowledge and raise awareness of this work, whilst making a number of recommendations to support further development.

The Executive is invited to receive the final report and to request that a response be prepared to the recommendations contained within it.

Officer contact: Gaynor Alexander, 0161 474 3186, gaynor.alexander@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Hazel Lees) of the Scrutiny Review “Loneliness and Social Isolation amongst Older People” attended the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for People be requested to prepare a response to the “Loneliness and Social Isolation amongst Older People” Scrutiny Review and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Executive be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the “Loneliness and Social Isolation amongst Older People” Scrutiny Review Panel and others involved in the review.