Agenda item - Secretary's Update

• Condolences -The OPC are sad to report the death of a past member Ruth

Larkin (2003-2007) and would like to record our condolences.

• Health & Well Being Board(HWBB)- OPC officers attended the meeting on 20th October and raised two questions concerning “Direction of Travel” paper & situation with GPs across the City. This was followed by a meeting with

Councillor Yates, Chair of HWBB on 12th November. We challenged the cuts to the Adult Social Care budget and raised concerns about a number of matters including Assessment, Personalisation & Scrutiny & support for action on Falls paper recommendations.

• Shaping the research agenda for older people as self funders - joint event University of Brighton & Age UK. A number of OPC members attended and contributed to Knowledge Exchange network on 28th October. Report to be circulated at later date.

• Age Friendly City Steering Group - action plan on falls due end of November. Older Peoples Health profiles for Brighton & Hove by area circulated. Next meeting on 3rd December to discuss communications & engagement. Views of OPC members welcome.

• Age Friendly City Forum - next meeting on November 30th need to discuss future as Age UK support changing. Police & crime commissioner representative re work on older people speaking.

• Fairness Commission - Public meeting on 26th November. Links to questions on OPC website and questions & posters circulated. Older people are a theme that will be on 16th March 2016.

• Hedgecock Fund - OPC had applied for funds to support communication work but conditions are not acceptable at present & further clarification needed.

• Senior Housing Action Group Meeting - held on 11th November. Chair attended and can update

• OPC Officers Meeting - held on 10th November to discuss ASC,Hedgecock Fund, Fairness Commission & OPC objectives.

• Brighton National Pensioners Convention- Contacted OPC for support to campaign against ASC cuts. - Views of OPC needed. Attended House of Commons NPC lobby on 4th November on care cuts. BNPC next meeting on Monday 23rd November at 2.00.

• Economic & Development & Culture - attended meeting on 12th November 12th which agreed to a consultation process & timetable for proposed changes to Library service - this will impact on Hove,Hollingbury & Westdene Libraries with a final decision in March 2016.

• City Wide Connect - details of further meetings of Hubs will be circulated – can be contacted on 01273-208934

• Sussex Elders Commission - contacted OPC after Chairs interview on radio. Follow up at AFC forum.

• Action on Elder Abuse - contacted OPC re campaign. Francis Tonks will liaise with them.

• Age UK Campaign - Will you help tackle loneliness - Petition circulated by Chair for members to sign. Over 1 million people have not spoken to a friend,

neighbour or family member for over a month.

• Christmas Lunch - booked at Le Nantais for 15th December after OPC meeting.

• Care Quality Commission - Seeking views on future of quality regulation - discussion paper with new strategy for consultation. Also Invisible Conditions campaign - inviting comments more info www.cqc.org.uk

• DWP - contacted re Disability Living Allowance being replaced by Personal Independent Payment (PIP) if under 65 years. Over 65’s may be eligible for Attendance Allowance . Survey circulated and completed.

Invitations

• Having a Blast in Brighton - on 12th November at Theatre Royal

• Portslade LAT - Meeting 16th November with info re scams

• CCG Weight Management Event - 17th November at Sussex County Cricket Ground discussions re design of service.

• Celebrating Faith in Our Community - 18th November 2 to 7 at The Brighton Centre

• Carers Summit - Friday 20th November at Metropole Hotel 10.15 –contact Carers Centre 01273-746222 for those wishing to attend.

• Mayor’s Charity Banquet at Royal Pavilion on 20th November - costs £90

• Connecting our City - Know your Neighbour Campaign - Drop in 1st December 4-6 One Church, Gloucester Place Brighton - Xmas cards for neighbours

• Active for Life Event - Brighton & Hove Boccia League on the 8th December 11.00 to 1.00 at King Alfred Leisure Centre

Newsletters/Information

• Age Action Alliance -information re care,housing,pension credit, dementia, Warm Home Discount Scheme etc.

• Healthwatch - Press release re inadequate services CQC report re A&E at Royal Sussex County Hospital.

• Better Care Bulletin - homeless needs,GP practice clusters, identifying people at risk

• Care in the City - Budget planning, digital inclusion, safeguarding.

• Brighton & Hove Speakers Corner - not able to continue

• Community Works Newsletter - details of organisations & events in Vol Sector

• Queenspark Books - Daring Hearts - Lesbian & Gay Lives in 1950s &60s Brighton - ebook launch.