Fylde Council has announced its commitment to becoming an Age-Friendly Community by taking the first steps towards joining the UK Network of Age-Friendly Communities, following a decision at the Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday 29 April.
This initiative, supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Aging Better, will see the Council adopt policies specifically designed to enhance quality of life for older residents, ensuring local services, infrastructure and support networks promote healthy and active aging.
The decision comes in response to demographic changes highlighted in the 2021 census, which revealed that 28.4% of Fylde’s population, approximately 24,000 people, are aged 65 years or older. Between 2011 and 2021, the median age in Fylde increased from 47 to 50 years, indicating an aging population that requires targeted support.
Councillor Chris Dixon, Lead Member for Wellbeing and Health, commented: “By pursuing Age-Friendly Community status, we’re making a clear commitment to our older residents. With more than a quarter of our population over 65, it’s vital that we create an environment where people can age with dignity, remain independent and continue to be valued members of our community. This framework gives us a structured approach to address everything from accessible outdoor spaces to improved community support services.”
The Council is working in partnership with Age UK Lancashire and Lancashire County Council to engage directly with older residents. Six community consultations will be conducted across Fylde to gather insights into key challenges, priorities and opportunities for improvement. This collaborative approach ensures that the resulting action plan will be informed by lived experiences and aligned with best practices from other Age-Friendly Communities.
The framework focuses on eight key domains outlined by the WHO, including outdoor spaces and buildings, transport, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services.
Lancashire County Council has contributed £5,000 to Age UK Lancashire to carry out community consultations, with Fylde Council matching this amount from existing community engagement budgets. Age UK Lancashire will lead on the project, ensuring the voices of older residents are reflected in meaningful, co-designed outcomes.
There are no direct costs associated with membership to the UK or WHO Network of Age-Friendly Communities, with existing Council resources being used to integrate the requirements into current practices and actions.
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