Agenda item - Improved working for Brighton & Hove's Older People's Council
A report by Laura Murphy, CfPS Expert Advisor

5.1             Laura Murphy (The Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) Expert Advisor presented a report and presentation slides on ideas for developing the OPC. These included:

1.  Putting itself forward as the most recognised point of contact for older people.  Look at the OPC’s position strategically to ensure it’s sustainability. Do this by ensuring:

·        that the OPC is active in pursuing issues

·        works effectively

·        puts recommendations to the Cabinet Member

2. The OPC could be a body to support the Council with its work perhaps through consultations, but it also needed to work separately.

3.      Work with Ward Councillors to support and alert them of older people’s concerns. To work with current partners and systems.

4.      Evidence has shown that by identifying 2-3 key issues and carrying out in-depth pieces of work the OPC could make a difference, which could raise their profile.

5.      Important to determine what the OPC was going to look at .eg. closure of public toilets, adult alcohol abuse, campaign for a Health and Wellbing Board OPC representative (like the Youth Council). Once a topic is identified co-ordinate with other groups/partnerships.

6.      Use Grey Matters Radio to publicise and other media. Work with the University and partners to bring information together.

7.      An example is Street visit campaign- publicise this by asking residents to put up posters in their window if they’d like a visit from an OPC member. This campaign could be co-ordinated with a press release.

8.      Utilise the private meetings to work on projects to produce outcomes.

5.2             Members thanked the Advisor for the report and presentation and agreed to discuss the recommendations at their next meeting.