Some 1,300 people in Hackney are living with dementia, and councillors have vowed to work on making the borough a better place for them.

A motion put forward by Cllr Yvonne Maxwell at Wednesday’s town hall meeting was passed unanimously by members.

They vowed to carry on working with the Hackney Dementia Action Alliance (HDAA), which gives an overview of the work being done in the borough, and keep the post of dementia champion going.

Health chief Cllr Jonathan McShane said: “There is more the council can do across all of its services to create a truly dementia friendly community, particularly through the changes as health and social care services work more closely together.”

Hoxton West’s Cllr Yvonne Maxwell, the town hall’s dementia campion, added: “It is important that people with dementia feel included and involved in their community.

“Hackney is looking at how it can support people affected by dementia so council policies work for them. We are also working with health partners to improve the rate of diagnosis so people affected by the condition can receive support much earlier.”

Linda O’Sullivan of the Alzheimer’s Society said the passing of the motion was “fantastic” news.

Cllr Ian Rathbone also gave a moving speech at the town hall meeting on Wednesday about his mother-in-laws diagnosis.

He said: “Our family and loved ones go on loving us come what may just as we love them.

“As more and more of us live longer lives, it will be more and more important we take on the challenge of failing memory recall and meet it full on – with friendship and love.”

Community coordinator Sandra Cater urged more businesses, post offices and banks to become dementia-friendly.