NOTES OF SENIOR PERSONS’ COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY 9 TH JUNE 2008 Present: Carole Duffy Pat Gale Carol Stokes Douglas Banks Shirley Hewitson Thelma Paine Michael Jarvis Peggy Weeks Audrey Beagley Lesley Ainslie Frank Bockling Sheu-Ching Dean John Dean T. Coyle P. Suter Jean Reeve Dorothy Harrison Barry Mursell Gladys Andrews Eva Matschy Ann Gover Judith Hollingdale Chris Duffy Officers Present: Nigel Tinkler - Horsham District Age Concern Clare Ebelewicz - Youth and Older Persons’ Officer, HDC Shelley Denman - Youth and Older Persons’ Officer, HDC Liz Markus - VSLDO, West Sussex Adult Services David Sheldon - Neighbourhood Network Co-ordinator, POPP Alison Still - Neighbourhood Network Administrator, POPP Damian Brewer - Access Officer, HDC Greg Charman - Community Safety Officer, HDC Marion Triall - Benefits Advisor, Horsham District Age Concern Shelia Peever - Community Link, HDC Apologies: Joyce Narborough Ann Smith Dulice Lawson Frank Cox John Hills
Transcript
NOTES OF SENIOR PERSONS’ COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY 9TH JUNE 2008
Present: Carole Duffy Pat Gale Carol Stokes Douglas Banks Shirley Hewitson Thelma Paine Michael Jarvis Peggy Weeks Audrey Beagley Lesley Ainslie Frank Bockling Sheu-Ching Dean John Dean T. Coyle P. Suter Jean Reeve Dorothy Harrison Barry Mursell Gladys Andrews Eva Matschy Ann Gover Judith Hollingdale Chris Duffy Officers Present: Nigel Tinkler - Horsham District Age Concern Clare Ebelewicz - Youth and Older Persons’ Officer, HDC Shelley Denman - Youth and Older Persons’ Officer, HDC Liz Markus - VSLDO, West Sussex Adult Services David Sheldon - Neighbourhood Network Co-ordinator, POPP Alison Still - Neighbourhood Network Administrator, POPP Damian Brewer - Access Officer, HDC Greg Charman - Community Safety Officer, HDC Marion Triall - Benefits Advisor, Horsham District Age Concern Shelia Peever - Community Link, HDC Apologies: Joyce Narborough Ann Smith Dulice Lawson Frank Cox John Hills
1. NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10TH MARCH 2008 The notes of the meeting held on 10th March 2008 were agreed. 2. MATTERS ARISING FROM NOTES OF LAST MEETING Post Office Consultation
Following a request at the last meeting, the Post Office Service had been contacted to see whether someone would be able to come and discuss the latest position in relation to Post Office closures. A response had been received to say that unfortunately no representative would be able to attend the meeting. Toilet Sticker Campaign
It was noted that a toilet sticker had now been designed and shops contacted to see whether they would be interested in being involved in the scheme. Shops were now being targeted in areas where it was thought that there was a particular need for better access to public toilets. It was hoped that the scheme could be launched by the end of June.
3. CORRESPONDENCE No correspondence had been received.
4. POPP - NEIGHBOURHOOD NETWORK CO-ORDINATOR
David Sheldon, the new POPP Neighbourhood Network Co-ordinator attended the meeting. He explained that the aim of the POPP project was to improve access to services for older people. His role was to bring together all the voluntary organisations for older people into one network. A questionnaire had been produced that it was hoped would establish which groups already existed for older people and whether there were any gaps in activities / services. Copies of the questionnaire were circulated to members of the group. Agreed: That this group could be used as a reference group for the POPP project.
5. OLDER PEOPLE AND ALCOHOL
There had been some recent publicity around a significant proportion of older people exceeding the guidelines for safe drinking. The group
was asked whether it was felt that this was an issue that be explored further with a view to delivering a local campaign. Agreed: That this was not something that should be pursued as there was enough publicity at a national level.
6. CONTINUTING CARE (RETIREMENT) COMMUNITIES
Clare reported that the Council had been approached by developers looking to introduce the concept of a retirement village into the District. A retirement village consisted of more than 100 units of accommodation offering varying levels of care and support to older people. The Council was looking to develop a policy in relation to the provision of this type of development and wanted to know whether the group would be interested in being involved. It was felt that it was important that the group had an input in developing this policy. Elmbridge in Cranleigh was a local example of this type of development. It was suggested that a small group could go and visit and/or that someone involved in the Cranleigh development be invited to come and speak at a meeting. Agreed: That Clare feedback to the Head of Strategic and Community Planning that the group would like to be involved in developing a retirement village policy.
Damian Brewer, the Council’s Access Officer attended the meeting. He updated the group on a project that had been developed in response to a need that had been identified to make shops in the town centre more accessible. All the shops had been sent a letter with 10 top tips on making their shops more accessible. Cards were also being distributed to enable members of the public to feedback their experience in terms of accessibility. The cards could be used not only for shops but any public venues. Clare asked the group for their support in promoting this new initiative as a mechanism for reporting positive and negative examples of accessibility.
A number area specific accessibility issues were raised by members of the group. Damian explained that he was willing to explore these issues and encouraged members to bring these to his attention. Damian Brewer’s can be contacted by 01403 215648 or by email at [email protected] Meeting with Council’s Recreation Manager At the last meeting, the Group discussed concerns over making Pavilions swimming facilities more ‘older person’ friendly. Clare reported that she had raised these concerns with Steve Hawker, the Council’s Recreation Manager, and would like a couple of volunteers who would be willing to meet with Steve and discuss through there concerns. Agreed: That Clare arranges a meeting between Jean Reeve, Carol Stokes and Steve Hawker.
8. LIFE IS FOR LIVING
Nigel reminded the group that this year’s Life is for Living event was on Thursday 18th September 2008 from 12 noon to 4.45pm at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre. It was proposed that the Senior Persons’ Council have a stand at the event. Nigel asked if there were any volunteers to ‘man’ the stand for an hour or so – if anyone is interested please let Clare know.
9. ROBBERY AND THEFT Greg Charman, Community Safety Officer for Horsham District Council,
Reported that in 2007 a total of 29 robberies were recorded by CADDIE across the Horsham District. Two of these were classified as ‘Robbery of business property’ and 27 as ‘Robbery of personal property’. In addition, 99 offences of ‘Theft from person’ were recorded across the district. Worryingly, 73% of victims were female and 23% male (in the remainder of cases gender was not recorded). The largest victim age groups are in the female 70-80 and 80+ categories. Greg stressed that he had not come to the meeting to alarm anyone, but would like the group’s advice on how best to communicate community safety messages with older people. Frank Bockling expressed concern at the assumption that it was always young people who were causing problems and committing such crimes – can we really be sure this is the case?
Sheila Peever commented that the Police used to fit purse chains to help prevent such crime. Greg explained that the Council could provide subsidised purse alarms. One member of the group reported that she had received a letter from Sussex Police offering tips for preventing vehicle crime and that this include etching the vehicle registration number on the windows. It was suggested that this be incorporated into Life is for Living. Agreed: That Greg Charman run a session training Senior Persons’ Council representatives as ‘Community Safety Champions’ who can offer peer to peer training in a similar way to the Nutrition project. It was also suggested that the volunteers visit places where there a spat of theft from person and talk to people who could be vulnerable of this type of attack. That Clare contact Alan Haffenden regarding the possibility of offering the etching of vehicle registration numbers on car windows at Life is for Living 2008.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Extension to Handy Van Service
Greg Charman reported on the recent extension to the Handy Van service, offering new grass cutting & hedge trimming service on a short term basis Benefit Checks Marion Triall from Horsham and District CAB advised the group of a benefits drop-in session at Forge House, Storrington between 10am and 12noon. The Group was also reminded about district-wide benefit checking services offered by the CAB and Age Concern HDC Grants One member explained that for a number of years the Bramber 60+ Club and the Steyning Darby and Jones Club had received small grants from WSCC and HDC. However, this year both groups had received a grant from WSCC but heard nothing from HDC.
Nigel explained that Howard Collins at Horsham District Council and Janet Brown at HACVS were able to help groups source funding. Agreed: That Clare explore the issue raised and report back to the group. Post Office Deliveries Barry Mursell reported that he had recently become aware of situations where the Postman has tried to make deliveries to his mum, has rung the door bell but not given her sufficient time to get to the door. This is a situation many older people might find themselves in. Barry explained that it was possible to register special requests such as ‘ring the bell several times’ or ‘wait five minutes’ by calling Customer Services on 08457 740 740 and selectting ‘Complaints and Customers Services.’ Parish Council Barry Mursell reported that he has spoken to Broadbridge Heath Parish Council about the Senior Persons’ Council and as a result he had a standing invitation to attend meetings of the Parish Council to raise issues discussed by this group. Barry urged other members of the group to do the same. Flyers Jean Reeve asked if it would be possible to have additional copies of the Senior Persons’ Council’s flyers. Agreed: That Clare would send further copies to Jean Reeve.
Housing Strategy
Clare reported that further to the intergenerational housing consultation event held in December 2007, the Council’s Housing Services department had produced its Issues and Options Document as part of preparation for the next Housing Strategy, looking to 2013. The document was currently out for consultation and Clare explained the Councillor Andrew Baldwin, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Support would be very interested in comments from members of the Senior Persons’ Council.
11. DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would be on Monday 8th September at The Steyning Centre, Fletchers Croft.
