WAVERLEY Borough Council has set out how it intends to meet the demands of the borough’s increasing older population over the next five years.

The borough already has the largest older population in Surrey according to the 2011 Census, and the number of people aged over 85 in Waverley is projected to increase by almost 30 per cent by 2020.

In response, councillors have voted to formally adopt a new five-year Ageing Well Strategy and action plan - identifying key priorities and activities that will be delivered over the next five years as well as how the council will work with partners to deliver the plan.

This, the council says, will ensure older people are able to maximise their use of mainstream local services, remain independent and feel valued members of our communities.

Kevin Deanus, portfolio holder for older people, said: “Residents in Waverley enjoy an excellent quality of life, and are living longer.

“The council has a key role to play in recognising the opportunities and challenges ahead and catering for an ever-increasing older population.

“This new strategy and action plan enables us to respond to the changing needs of our residents, laying the foundations for providing a better quality of life for older people.

“By developing new and existing local services, older people can remain independent longer and continue to feel valued members of our community. ”

Key areas of the work that the council already delivers to support older residents, captured within the action plan, includes:

• Funding of at least £590,000 through grants to organisations that deliver services for older people such as day centres, community transport, information and advice.

• A new £2.2 million health and wellbeing centre at the Farnham Memorial Hall in West Street, incorporating the Brightwell Gostrey Centre for older people.

• 244 self contained accommodation within Waverley’s sheltered services for older people.

• Delivery of physical activity programmes for older people such as falls prevention, fit for life and walks for health.

• The Easymove Scheme which supports council tenants, including older people, to move to accommodation better suited to their needs.

• Delivery of a Meals on Wheels service, with funding to the Royal Voluntary Service, which currently provides meals to 159 residents.

• A Care and Repair service to enable more people to remain in their own home or private rented accommodation.

For more information about Waverley’s range of services for older people in the borough, visit the website www.waver

ley.gov.uk/info/200091/older_people.