Purpose

To
provide an update on the Age Friendly Communities Programme.

Content

(a)          
That Dorset’s application
for Age Friendly accreditation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), be
endorsed.

 

(b)          
That the integration of Age-Friendly principles into
whole council strategy and planning considerations including Adult Social Care
locality practice, commissioning and strategic planning, be endorsed.

 

(c)          
That, through the Council’s OFC programme
(Commissioning & Procurement & Community Partnerships Programmes), age
friendly principles, be integrated into design of infrastructure, transport,
housing, and public spaces.

 

(d)          
That Dorset promotes Age Friendly Communities
through local charities, businesses, faith groups, and local councils.

 

Reason for the decision

 

According to recent
research, nearly one-third of Dorset’s population is aged 65 or over,
significantly higher than the national average of 19%, with a median age of 52
compared to 40.5 nationally. Dorset also had the highest proportion of
residents aged 85+ in the UK, and an old age dependency ratio of 537 (vs. 297
nationally), meaning there were 537 people aged 65+ for every 1,000 working-age
adults.

 

As a result, Dorset
Council faced growing financial pressures, with adult social care accounting
for £159.6 million, over 38% of the 2025/26 net budget. Rising demand,
particularly for complex care, combined with limited national funding,
highlights the urgent need for preventative approaches. Delivering community
programmes, such as Age Friendly Communities offered a strategic solution to
reduce future demand, delay formal care, and improve outcomes, whilst
delivering long-term sustainability and value.