Agenda item - Members' Update

Michael Whitty

 

In the campaign to identify aged, isolated and vulnerable people the Withdean and Patcham Network has delivered 10,000 newsletters to the households in Withdean, Westdene, Patcham and Hollingbury.  The next issue will contain a contact tick box number and tearoff  return to record our outcome success. Presently, we have held meetings where various organisations have attended and offered their services for the use of the people we identify who are in need or simply need befriending.

We have donated £1,000 to Friends of Westdene Green where the barn is being leased for local use and has been refurbished. The future use will be for the local community. An opening launch day will take place on 18th June from 2pm, everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Colin Vincent

 

22/5/17

 

Attended Age Friendly City Forum held at Age UK. The Council at his stage appear to have indicated their on going support for the project; initiated by the OPC, by informing us that meetings will continue in September after a replacement lead Officer Chair is appointed.

 

24/5

Meeting with the Active For Life Team and a Freedom Leisure manager rep on access to their facilities,  at reduced cost, by people on defined benefits including old citizens on pension credits at a reduced cost.

To date the take up has been low and we exchanged views how it could be improved including a suggestion that special events could be staged at Freedom Leisure facilities across the City to allow access at reduced rates all older people, It was agreed that further meetings would be arranged

 

30/5

Hustings Meeting arranged jointly with the B&H Branch of National Pensioners Convention. All Parties eventually fielded candidates or representatives largely due to the persistent efforts of our secretary As far as I'm aware this was new venture for the OPC and though the room wasn't crowded to the doors I believe it proved to be a successful

event.   

 

12/6

Attended Officers meeting

 

13/6

Attendance at Health & Wellbeing Board

The papers for discussion included as follows - Verbal update by Doctor Supple CCG Chair and Rob Persey  Exc.Director Social Services covering the decreasing number of GP Surgeries in the City Community meals service -  User Survey Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2017/16 Also a number of formal questions on STP were raised by supporters of the Defend The NHS.

 

19/6

 

Attended Grey Matters Programme Planning meeting.

 

Confirmation that with the assistance of John Wood an application for grant for the renewal of broadcasting and recording equipment has been successful value of £2000.In addition there the prospect of a further grant from a local charitable fund who have given support in the past.     Penny and myself have an invite to be interviewed on air about the OPCs situation.           

 

 

John Eyles

 

-        Matsim housing project by Hove Station has not met the requirement for affordable housing.

-        Agreement on the Lynchet Close development was unable to be reached in the latest Housing Committee. It is thought that an urgency committee will be called to make a decision before the next PR&G Committee.

-        The Grenfell Tower disaster was also mentioned with reference to Donald Hall Road where the lift was broken for 2 months so certain people were unable to get out of the building.

 

ACTION: Karen Amsden to invite Larissa Reed to the next OPC meeting to discuss what is being done to help less able people in tower blocks.

 

ACTION: Penny Morley to write to Geoff Raw about high rise blocks, the elderly and emergency provisions.

 

ACTION: Mike Bojczuk to bring a written question to the next Housing Committee about older people in tower blocks, cladding, what the inspections have found and what action is being proposed.

 

-        Attended Pensioners Association Meeting.

-        Meeting of Amnesty International.

-        New group of volunteers to go out and do interviews as part of the research group being sponsored by University of Brighton and Age UK on self-funded social care. There is also a paid fellow for this research.

 

Lynne Shields

 

-        Recently started volunteering with Healthwatch for the Enter and View programme and have had several training sessions thus far.The GP Enter and View Programme is about to start

-        Age City Friendly Forum steering group will continue when newly appointed member of Public Health has taken their position. I continue to take the minutes for this forum

-        Involved to be involved in all research undertaken by Age UK.Brighton & Hove

-        Attended OPC officers meeting whilst we progress our review of the OPC situation and consider the options

-        Attended Active for Life event at The Level and introduced Strong and Steady dance routine which is part of the Falls Prevention Programme. Introduced self as a member of the OPC which gained interest – leaflets were handed out and people were encouraged to get involved to welcome a broader base of older residents.

-        It has to be noted that in my efforts to involve more people in the OPC I am meeting increased antipathy to anything remotely “political”. The main fighting spirit seems to be coming (understandably) from the younger community who seem to have found a new political voice - which I am delighted about.

-         

-        I have several events on the horizon.

-        The Health and Social Care Network event at Community Base June 22nd

-        The Big Health Conversation at Brighthelm July 4th

-        Friends of Brighton and Hove Hospitals.July 6th

-        External assessment of the Falls Prevention programme dates to be confirmed.

 

 

Jack Hazelgrove

 

-        Bus Watch have officially come out as being against the Valley Gardens project. It is highly likely that the changes will make bus travel more difficult. Think that the plans will go through when it goes to Council meeting.

-        Preston Barracks project seems likely to start soon which means that Community Transport will need to find a new base. The council has said that it will help to find a new site.

-        Attending Dialogue Society Iftar dinner.

 

Mike Bojczuk

 

-        Albion in the Community are volunteering for cancer awareness and attending different events.

-        Due East festival at Whitehawk on Saturday 24^th June – Albion in the Community cancer awareness and digital awareness will be there.

 

Francis Tonks

 

-        Suggested that condolences be sent to the local Mosque community after terror attack.

 

ACTION: Lynne Shields to research the contacts in the local mosque community and send condolences to them.