South Ayrshire Council is set to become one of Scotland’s first ‘Age Friendly Communities’.
The authority is known for having a higher proportion of older people than most authorities with 11.9 percent of its residents over 75, a figure expected to rise to 20 per cent over the next two decades.
By joining the Age Friendly Community Network, the council aims to support an ‘aging well’ approach, with a focus on areas such as housing, transport, health care and social participation.
A report to the council’s cabinet stated it would ‘make it possible for people to continue to stay living in their homes, participate in the activities that they value, and contribute to their communities, for as long as possible.'
“Being Age-friendly means designing services and facilities with older people, not for them.”
Council leader Martin Dowey said: “We have got an ageing population here in South Ayrshire, so it is good to be in front of the curve instead of behind the curve.
“We need to embrace ageing population and make the best of the lovely scenery in South Ayrshire.
“That is why people come here to retire. I think it is a good thing that we are getting everyone involved. ”
A delve into other data sheds more light on the changing balance between generations over the last two decades.
The Scottish Parliament constituency of Ayr, which covers Ayr, Prestwick and Troon, had 14,876 residents aged over 70 in 2021, almost 20 per cent of its population of 74,639.
The number of young people under 19 years old is 13,925, around 18 per cent of the population.
It has often been noted that rural populations are ageing faster than those in cities and towns.
However, the figures from the Ayr constituency and its neighbouring Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley seat, which covers Girvan, Maybole, Coylton and Dundonald and East Ayrshire towns like Cumnock, Mauchline and Dalmellington, show this is not so straightforward.
Increase in age by Scottish Parliamentary Constituency
Ayr (population by constituency and age)
Year Total Over 70 Under 19
- 2021 74,639 14,876 13, 925
- 2010 76,476 12,190 15,714
- 2001 76,930 11,179 17,146
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Year Total Over 70 Under 19
- 2021 76,603 12,675 15,906
- 2010 76,701 9,922 17,220
- 2001 75,929 8,634 18,720
Covering a significantly larger area than Ayr, there were just 2000 more people resident in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley in 2021.
However, the number of people over 70 was considerably lower than in Ayr – with 12,675 out of 76,603 constituents.
At the other end of the scale, there were 15,906 under 19s, just over 20 per cent.
Looking back even further, reveals the shifting balance between the two age groups is even more stark.
In 2001, there were 6000 more under 19s than those over 70 in the Ayr seat. By 2010 the gap shrunk to 3,600.
And by 2021 the tables had been turned, with almost 1000 more over 70s than under 19s.
South Ayrshire has two of the top ten highest populations over 65, according to National Records Scotland.
Ayr South Harbour and Town Centre is reported to have 54 per cent of residents over 65, while Alloway and Doonfoot has 49 per cent.
The Age Friendly Communities network is being developed by the Scottish Older People’s Assembly (SOPA).
This approach focuses on eight essential features and has been used extensively in England.
The report outlines the impact of an ageing population, stating: “This creates real collective challenges for all Community Planning Partners although there are also real associated opportunities.
“Essentially the Age Friendly Community approach considers eight fields or themes that impact upon older people’s lives and seeks to build a shared approach (including working with older people themselves) to create the best possible outcomes for the population.
These ‘fields’ include Housing; Transportation; Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Communities and Health Care; Social Participation; Respect and Social Inclusion; Civic Participation and employment; Communication and Information.
The council also added Age Concern Scotland and SOPA to its list of approved outside bodies and depute provost Mary Kilpatrick was named Older Person’s Champion.
The cabinet agreed to apply to become a member of the Age friendly community network.
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