The Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 11 May 2026 to discuss progress on the Age-Friendly Action Plan, the refresh of the Ageing Well Strategy, and the development of a new Disability Friendly Strategy. Key discussions included improving public toilet provision, enhancing support for older residents, and ensuring inclusivity for people with disabilities.

Progress of the Age-Friendly Action Plan

The committee received an update on the Age-Friendly Cardiff Action Plan, which aims to make the city a better place for older people. Significant progress has been made in various areas between January and June 2025. Initiatives included a healthy relationships campaign distributing condoms, a blood pressure monitor loan scheme with over 1,500 loans, and support provided by Sight Life to 2,134 residents. The Wellbeing Support Service saw 18,000 attendances across 63 community activity groups, and the Independent Living Service launched a new prevention toolkit. The Dementia Friendly Communities pledge programme now has 782 organisations signed up.

Challenges identified include ongoing issues with social connection, loneliness, and isolation. Transport remains a significant concern, with older people wanting bus routes to better serve their needs. Information access is also an issue, with many older people still relying on printed materials rather than digital channels. Toilet provision was highlighted as a key concern, with a need for improved signposting to accessible facilities.

Looking ahead, the Age Friendly Cardiff partnership plans to launch a Caring to Change handbook for unpaid carers, explore new inclusion activities, and expand intergenerational work. The committee discussed the need for more accessible public toilets, with a recommendation to explore funding for 24-hour access toilets and the potential for paid toilet kiosks. There was also a suggestion to include information on bidets in public toilet maps.

Ageing Well Strategy Refresh

The committee discussed the refresh of the Ageing Well Strategy, which sets priorities for adult services in supporting older people. The current strategy, which covers 2022-2027, is being reviewed with a new draft strategy planned for December 2026. Projections indicate a significant increase in the older population, with a 17.5% rise in those aged 65+ and a 44% increase in those aged 85+ over the next decade. This will lead to increased demand for care and support services, including a projected 29.5% rise in the number of people living with dementia.

Progress under the current strategy includes strengthened preventative services, improved hospital discharge performance, and a reduction in the use of residential care. The strategy aims to support older people to live independently, stay active and connected, and ensure services meet the needs of the most vulnerable. Engagement with stakeholders has highlighted key themes such as the importance of staying independent at home, tackling loneliness, and the need for clear information and non-digital contact options. The committee suggested reaching out to Women Connect First, which has an over-50s women's group, as part of the consultation process.

Disability Friendly Strategy

The committee also participated in the policy development stage of a new Disability Friendly Strategy, focusing on physical disability and sensory loss. The strategy aims to support individuals to live independently and participate fully in everyday life. Based on the 2021 Census, approximately 23% of Cardiff's population identifies as disabled. The strategy will build on existing commitments to inclusion and equality, aligning with other council strategies such as those for learning disability and neurodivergence.

Initial engagement with the Deaf Hub highlighted barriers faced by young deaf people, including limited communication access, inconsistent BSL provision, and education gaps. The proposed title for the strategy is Disability Friendly Strategy (Physical Disability & Sensory Loss) . Discussions around the blue badge scheme revealed complexities regarding its use by carers and the application process for those with lifelong conditions. The committee also raised points about the cost of disability equipment maintenance and the potential for temporary equipment hire schemes. It was noted that while the strategy focuses on physical and sensory disabilities, mental health and learning disabilities are addressed in separate strategies. The committee recommended that the accessibility of blue badge applications and renewals be considered, alongside the cost of maintaining disability equipment for community buildings.

The next meeting of the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee is provisionally scheduled for 15 June 2026.