Agenda item

RECOMMENDATIONS:

That the Policy Committee note the report, and are asked to provide particular comment on the proposed and emerging priorities for the Older Person’s Accommodation Strategy 2024-2029, namely:

1.    The supply of housing is sufficient, affordable and appropriate accommodation in the right place, at the right time for older  people.

2.    The district’s current provision of all older person’s accommodation is fit for purpose and delivers choice for older people across tenures.

3.    The accommodation needs and aspirations of older people in the district of Winchester are met.

4.    The accommodation issues raised by older persons because of the consultation are addressed.

5.    The strategy is aligned with the priorities of Health and Adult Social Care to use technology as an enabler, supporting older people to remain living independently for as long as possible.

6.    The market is fully reviewed.

7.    The council’s current policies relating to the allocation and charges for  older persons affordable accommodation are reviewed and revised.

Councillor Chris Westwood, Cabinet Member for Housing introduced the report, ref EHP49 which was a scoping document for the Older Persons Accommodation Strategy, (available here). The introduction included the following points.

1. That almost 11 million people in the UK were aged 65 and over, representing 19% of the population, with 3.3 million of these individuals living alone.
2. It was noted that nearly 65% of those aged 70 and over reported being in good health, which dropped to less than 50% by age 80 and further reduced to less than 30% by age 90.
3. He emphasised the increased prevalence of age-related health concerns, including mental health conditions such as dementia, and loneliness exacerbated by families being more geographically spread.
4. That there was a national, social care crisis which impacted families, and it was important to address this complex issue both nationally and locally.
5. He acknowledged the financial strain on Hampshire County Council in meeting adult social care needs and emphasised the importance of reviewing the impact of an ageing population in the Winchester District.
6. The proposed review would include how to meet the accommodation needs and aspirations of older persons in the district across all tenures, outlining an approach in the paper to understand future requirements.

In addition, Karen Thorburn, Service Lead - Strategic Housing provided the committee with the following information:

1. That the definition of 'older persons' for this review was anyone over the age of 55.
2. She highlighted the necessity for the council to adapt to changing accommodation needs for older persons, acknowledging significant shifts in policy and older individuals' aspirations since the last full assessment in 2015.
3. That older persons' accommodation encompassed a wide spectrum, from owner-occupiers to those living in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), not just council or retirement homes.
4. That local demographic data and statistics from the housing register illustrated the accommodation needs of older persons, noting that many over 55s were in insecure housing, which might not be adaptable as their needs change.
5. She emphasised the goal of providing sufficient, affordable, and appropriate accommodation that was future-proofed and offered a choice, aligning with the ten HAPPI (Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation) principles.
6. She outlined the need for a thorough review of the market and current policies, and an extensive evidence review, as detailed in section 3.1 of the strategy document.
7. She advised of plans for a broad and meaningful engagement and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including Hampshire County Council, landlords, the council's disabled facilities grants team, private treatment home providers, residents, councillors, and parish councils, utilising various forums and consultation methods.

The Chairperson advised that Monica Gill, Vice Chair of Tenants and Council Together (TACT), was unable to attend, and so a written statement from her would be shared as follows :

1. She expressed her agreement with the report's recommendations, emphasising the importance of consulting with older tenants before finalising plans.
2. She highlighted a specific issue where previous installations of new fire doors, led to problems for tenants with mobility issues or those using wheelchairs, due to the quick closing mechanism of the doors not allowing sufficient time to safely enter or exit their properties.

The committee was asked to note the report and were asked to comment on the proposed and emerging priorities for the Older Person's Accommodation Strategy 2024-2029, which were listed within the report.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1. Confirmation was sought on whether the consultation process would encompass the entire district, reflecting the detailed demographic split outlined in the report.
2. There was a request for a comprehensive dataset to support the strategy, highlighting a need for insight into the district's demographic profiles and the specific needs of different age groups.
3. The necessity for more information about other accommodation providers, such as St. John's, was raised to ensure a holistic view of available options and their integration into the strategy.
4. Questions were raised about the evolution of older persons' care, including what constitutes good practice for future care provision and how Hampshire County Council's vision aligns with these standards.
5. Interest was expressed in exploring models of care and accommodation that promote independence and reduce social isolation, using examples like the Brendoncare model in Chandlers Ford.
6. Concerns about the progression of needs related to social isolation and the ability of current housing solutions to adapt to changing circumstances were discussed.
7. Whether the projected increase in the population of older age groups within the district was due to natural ageing or other factors, such as migration.
8. The importance of aligning planning policies to meet the specific needs of older residents was emphasised, suggesting a proactive approach in the local plan development to ensure suitable accommodation solutions.

These points were responded to by Karen Thorburn, Service Lead - Strategic Housing, Sarah Wallis, Housing and Social Inclusion Manager and Councillor Westwood, Cabinet member for Housing accordingly.

RESOLVED:

The Committee:

1.    Acknowledged the comprehensive nature of the work required to address the accommodation needs of the older population, noting the necessity to consider a wide range of accommodation types across the district.

2.    Asks that the cabinet member consider the committee's comments raised during the discussion of the item.