Agenda item - The European Union - what does it mean for me?

3.1 The Chair welcomed Elisabeth Sweeney, Regional Liaison and Networks Officer of the European Parliament.  He put on display the Certificate showing Brighton & Hove joining the WHO Age-Friendly City initiative from 1 April 2013.

3.2 Elisabeth Sweeney outlined the MEPs and their work and made suggestions as to how the OPC could in a larger forum provide a ‘platform’ for involvement and debate about the EU. She provided committee membership details and answered questions on the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations, with contact names, written reports and website references.

3.3  The next European election is on 22 May 2014. Europe Day is celebrated every 9 May; the 2012 celebrations included a particularly successful event at Europe House by ‘The Amazings’ group over 50 year-olds offering teaching and craft skills, contributing to intergenerational solidarity. The South West Seniors' network held their South West Assembly in March 2012 including a speaker on 'Campaign to End Loneliness,'  based in London.

3.4 Regarding examples of funding opportunities, the Interreg programme for which a European partner organisation is needed, is still in progress and ‘Smart Cities and Communities’ was calling annually for proposals. A contact from the European Commission has more details.

3.5 Elisabeth Sweeney answered questions and said the facts of EU funding into the UK can sometimes get ‘lost’ in media stories and gave examples. Information is available on future funding strands - the Council’s European Office can be contacted;  MEPs are also good sources of information, as are Europe Direct centres and local chambers of commerce and libraries. She provided contact details and leaflets.

3.6 Members discussed the potential for local radio broadcasting eg Panel discussion with a local MP and MEP on the run-up to the May 2014 European Parliament elections.