Agenda item - Secretary's Update

SECRETARIAL REPORT - FEBRUARY 2016

• Budget - Letter sent to Council leaders of all 3 political parties outlining our concerns on a range of Adult Social Care & other issues about the impact of the proposals on older people. Separate note about the impact of bus passes circulated to a range of organisations. Letters sent to The Argus on bus passes not published. Vice-Chair & Secretary went to Tower House & attended meeting with clients re personal budgets and discussed their views about the budget proposal for Tower House. OPC officers met with Councillor Morgan on the 2^nd February and went through all of the issues of concern re the budget. Separate item on agenda.

• Age Friendly City - As requested, Age UK sought volunteer to co-ordinate the Age Friendly City Forum. One response received but after contact did not wish to proceed. The next Forum meeting in March will need to decide way forward. The next AFC Steering group on 3rd March on Sex & relationships as we age.

• Fairness Commission - OPC members attended range of meetings including: Leach Court & St Johns (Hop 50+) and held discussions re issues of fairness and concern to older people. These included communications, cost of living in Brighton, traffic lights and pedestrians, lack of internet use, getting GP appointments, bus passes, housing maintenance, wheelchair users and bicycle problems, lighting for pedestrians at night, access to seats in shops & public areas and public toilets.

• CCG - attended meeting on 26th January and asked question in session prior to the meeting about the GP situation re The Practice PLC which has 5 practices. Under the new style inspection 2 “require improvement” (Whitehawk & North Street) and a report is imminent on Hangleton Manor but it is of concern. Patients have received letters about the withdrawal of contract by The Practice and Healthwatch have information on their website about current developments.

• Health & Well Being Board - OPC sent a written question for the meeting on the 2nd February re The Practice Group Ltd & the Chair & Vice Chair spoke at the meeting.

• CSTS Beds - CCG - The OPC were asked if we wanted to have a lay person involved in the procurement process. After consideration we did not feel it appropriate due to confidentiality issues. OPC officers met with CCG on 3^rd February and put a range of issues concerning the procurement process to him re: evaluation, conflicts of interest, quality of service etc. The timetable has gone back. The contract will be covered by ECJ rules and be on CCG website.

• Review of Senior Housing criteria - they are developing a new criteria as part of a wider allocations policy and the OPC have been invited to participate in discussion meetings that form part of the consultation. These are on the 19th Feb at Laburnum Grove, 23rd February at Muriel House, 24th February at Sloane Court & 25th February at Walter May House. Details circulated.

• National Pensioners Convention - Brighton branch have a meeting 16th

February at 2.00 in Brighthelm with speakers from Unison, Labour & Green

Parties. National newsletter circulated.

• Stanmer Park Restoration Project - due to OPC previous response to a

consultation we were approached about the next phase of this project which is

creating an activity plan. They wanted to speak on the phone which I did and we await further information about progress of project.

• Care Quality Commission - consultation re the way they regulate services in the future. More data & targeting. Current CQC rated as Good show Primary at 81%, ASC at 63% and NHS & Independent hospitals at only 40%. Do we want to respond to this consultation?

• Caroline Lucas MP - forwarded a response from the HWBB to her raising the issue of loneliness of older people. Circulated.

Invitations

• The Changing Face of Equalities - Community Works - 10th February

• Active Forever - taster event for older people on 30th June at King Alfred 10.00 to 1.00. Festival June 18th to 3rd July will including being active as part of Falls prevention.

• Mayors Fundraiser - at St Nicholas Church on 26th February at 7.30

• City Wide Connect - East meeting on 2nd March, North/Central meeting on 9^th March and West meeting on 16th March.

• Know My Neighbour Partnership Meeting - 4th February 3.00 at One Church, Gloucester Place

• Strike a Light - a range of cultural events re WW1 project during February

• South East TUC - Crisis in Care & Caring Tuesday 15th March at 10.00 to 3.30 at Congress House, Great Russell Street

Newsletters/Petitions

• Later Life Newsletter - DWP

• Age Action Alliance - DWP

• Portslade LAT meeting & newsletter from Police. Cuts to community police.

• Age UK - Petition re combatting loneliness

• Age UK - Cold Homes week 1st February - 408.000 older people in England & Wales died of cold last winter - campaign for warm homes

• Healthwatch Newsletter - with Keep Warm Leaflet attached

• DWP - contact details for a range of government services e.g. Pensioner Credit etc