Decision details
Making the Cotswold District Dementia Friendly
Decision Maker: Council, Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decisions:
The Chair invited Councillor Paul Evans, Cabinet Member for Health and Communities to introduce the report and reminded Council of its previous commitment to make Cotswold District a dementia-friendly district.
Councillor Evans highlighted the growing number of residents living with dementia and acknowledged the significant impact the condition had on individuals, their families and friends. The valuable work already undertaken by community organisations, volunteers, health partners and town and parish councils in supporting people living with dementia was recognised. Councillor Evans explained that the proposed programme sought to build on these existing strengths through partnership working, increased awareness and training, improved signposting to support, and ensuring that Council services became more dementia-friendly.
It was noted that engagement with town and parish councils had demonstrated strong support for the Council's ambition while identifying opportunities to improve confidence in directing residents to appropriate sources of support. The proposed programme focused on training, awareness, engagement, service mapping and improvement, alongside funding and facilitation, with the aim of building resilient communities and delivering practical improvements for residents living with dementia and those who cared for them.
The Chair invited questions for clarification.
Councillor David Fowles welcomed the report and expressed his support for the Council's dementia-friendly ambition. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness nationally and asked what engagement was planned with Members of Parliament to promote greater recognition and support for people living with dementia, drawing comparisons with the progress achieved through disability legislation.
Councillor Paul Evans confirmed that the Council's work to become a dementia-friendly authority would complement its wider commitments to supporting people with disabilities. He advised that engagement would take place with local Members of Parliament, Gloucestershire County Council and town and parish councils to promote and support the Council's dementia-friendly approach.
Councillor Dilys Neill welcomed the report and highlighted the importance of engaging with specialist dementia services, including the Dementia Care Team at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She referred to the value of supporting people with dementia throughout their care journey and emphasised the importance of advance care planning, ensuring that key information about an individual's needs and preferences accompanied them if they were admitted to hospital.
The proposal was seconded by Paul Hodgkinson who commented that there remained a lack of understanding about the interventions and support available to people living with dementia and their carers. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that appropriate advice and assistance were readily accessible. He acknowledged the valuable work of the Council's Wellbeing Team in delivering community initiatives that helped to reduce isolation and encouraged people to remain active and engaged.
There was no further debate on the matter.
The proposer, Councillor Paul Evans, was invited to sum up, but considered the matter had been adequately covered.
The Chair then moved to the vote on the resolution which was proposed by Councillor Paul Evans and seconded by Councillor Paul Hodgkinson.
Voting record:
31 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.
Report author: Joseph Walker
Publication date: 31/07/2026
Date of decision: 15/07/2026
Decided at meeting: 15/07/2026 - Council
Accompanying Documents:
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