CRAVEN District Council is on its way to becoming a 'dementia friendly authority' - despite one member saying it was putting out the wrong message.

All councillors at the recent Policy Committee supported the authority becoming part of the Skipton and South Craven Dementia Action Alliance.

The council will also sign up to the National Dementia Action Alliance and support Craven becoming a 'dementia friendly district'.

But Settle ward councillor Richard Welch said although he supported the move, he would rather Settle be seen as a vibrant town.

"I don't see why we need to plug it so much as we are doing, it gives out the wrong impression," he said.

Cllr Simon Myers said dementia as an issue had been swept under the carpet for too long.

"We have to bang on about it, and if it gets boring because we remind people about it, lets be boring," he said.

Cllr Linda Brockbank, the council's new member champion for dementia, said two per cent - or 1,045 people - of Craven's population were living with the disease, and it was the right thing for the council to do.

And Cllr David Ireton said it was a cruel disease that affected young as well as older people.

Cllr Peter Madeley said the council should be at the forefront of the initiative.

And Cllr John Dawson pointed out it was also the family of people with dementia that needed support.

A Local Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) brings together regional and local organisations and businesses to improve the lives of people with dementia in the area. They are seen as the vehicle to develop dementia friendly communities.

The local Dementia Action Alliance will bring together regional and local organisations and businesses to improve the lives of people with dementia in the district.

There are currently 299 local alliances across the UK and this number is growing all the time.

It is estimated that there are over 1,000 people living with dementia in the Craven district, and that hundreds more are undiagnosed.

After the meeting, Cllr Brockbank, added the council wanted to lead by example.

"We believe it’s important to play our part in improving the lives of people with dementia. Signing up to these actions will help all vulnerable people in our society.”

An event to raise awareness of dementia in Skipton and South Craven was held at Belle Vue Mills, Skipton, last month. It was attended by a wide number of businesses and organisations, including Skipton Building Society and dementia groups.

The council has already delivered 'Dementia Friends' training to some of its frontline staff. The Skipton Town Hall redevelopment is also taking into account dementia friendly guidelines, and staff at Craven Leisure will also be given dementia training.