Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Laurence Cottis, Treasurer Tringham’s Lunch Club.

Lawrence Cottis, Treasurer, gave a presentation in respect of Tringhams; a group set up in 2004 to promote the welfare of the elderly within the parishes of West End, Chobham, Bisley and Windlesham.

Tringhams collected elderly residents from across the area on two days a week and brought them to the Sports Pavilion in Benner Lane where they could enjoy a freshly prepared hot lunch and a range of social activities including exercise classes and day trips.  The service was currently being provided to approximately 16 clients aged between 75 and 95 years old.  It was hoped that these numbers would be increased to a regular client base of 20 however the demographic of the target client group meant that the client group was not static.

Exploration of alternative funding streams had resulted in Tringhams raising an additional £9,125 during the 2015/16 financial year from a variety of sources including: the Surrey Community Fund, Surrey County Council Fund, West End Parish Council, West End Village Society and donations and legacies from clients and their families.

Arising from members’ questions and comments the following points were noted:

·         Costs were kept as low as possible however this needed to be balanced against ensuring that clients remained safe.  For example, for a period a trial ran using only one mini-bus however it had proved impossible to safely transport all clients to and from the centre within the timescales required.

·         Whilst reducing the number of minibuses owned by Tringhams to one would save Tringhams approximately £2,000 a year this saving would need to be offset against the costs incurred by the increase in Dial a Ride use that would be necessary.

·         Eight volunteer drivers provided minibus transport for clients however more drivers were needed and Dial a Ride was being used to supplement provision.

·         It was agreed that an approach for funding would be made to the West End Village Fete Committee.

·         Mobility issues meant that a number of clients were unable to get in or out of cars easily and as a consequence minibuses were required in order to transport clients safely.

·         Discussions had taken place with Surrey Heath Borough Council over the possibility of Tringhams buying a new minibus which would then be managed and maintained by the Council who would be able to use it on those days when Tringhams weren’t.  However these discussions had stalled and to date no decision had been reached on the matter.

·         Tringhams had assumed responsibility for running the Bisley Butts Centre however this service had since closed.

·         Tringhams was pro-active in their promotional activities and information about the services on offer had in the past been placed in village newsletters, church newsletters, parish magazines, GP surgeries in Chobham and West End and on Webcare.

·         Work was underway to raise awareness of legacy giving amongst clients and their families.

·         It was suggested that Council communication channels be used to encourage people to become volunteers.

·         It was suggested that the Council could help facilitate discussions with Clinical Commissioning Groups to raise awareness of the organisation and the benefits that referrals to the service could have for patients.

·         It was acknowledged that whilst Tringhams’ constitution stated that the organisation had been set up to assist residents of a particular area this could be amended if it improved the long term viability of the organisation.

·         Raising awareness of the service amongst younger people as an example of the services available for their parents could help to increase the size of Tringhams’ client base.

The Committee expressed their support of Tringhams and commended them for the service that they provided.

RESOLVED that:

      i.        Officers to support discussions with appropriate Clinical Commissioning Groups to raise referral rates from GP surgeries.

     ii.        Work would take place to explore how awareness of Tringhams amongst the children of potential clients might be improved.

    iii.        Council officers to take a proactive role in discussions on community transport options and the exploration of the wider co-ordination of transport for voluntary groups across the Borough.

   iv.        The use of Council communication channels to raise awareness of Tringhams to be explored.

The Committee thanked Tringhams for their update and commended them for the work that they did.