Maidstone Borough Council has announced steps to tackle loneliness and isolation in the town.

It was announced at an Overview and Scrutiny meeting last month that a Kent public health specialist will be invited to review the situation in the area.

A report will be presented to the council on the sections of the borough’s population that experience loneliness and isolation but do not necessarily receive any support.

The decision followed a meeting in July when the Community, Environment and Housing scrutiny committee agreed to look into a number of issues associated with health care in the town; including maternity services, young people’s mental health services, young carer support and loneliness and isolation services.

Chairman of the committee, Cllr John Wilson, said: “The scrutiny committee will be examining how the council, in co-operation with its partners, is monitoring and improving the health and wellbeing of all residents. This will include such issues as mental health, housing and road safety, and it will make recommendations to ensure that these are being dealt with satisfactorily.”

Following a draft report it was decided that the loneliness and isolation issues experienced in the borough are the most severe and warranted further investigation.

The committee will review the expert’s in-depth report with a view of narrowing down the people most in need of services and inviting witnesses to interview at their meeting on November 11.

Last June Kent County Council announced it was investing £380,000 in combat the issue.