NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

PENSIONERS' FORUM

Thursday, 14 June 2007

PRESENT: Councillor Jane Hollis (Co-Chair) Pamela Crane (Co-Chair) Lindsey Ambrose Area Partnership/Forums Co-Ordinator, NBC Richard Holmes Principal Planner, NBC Brian Nichols Margaret Johnson U 3 A Maureen Wilson Jacqueline Forrest-Smith Cllr Pam Varsverry Northampton Borough Council Barbara Isaac Bob Dunn Victim Support Liz Percival Reg Deering Pensioners’ Voice Mike Hill Pensioners’ Voice Hazel and Harry Tuttle Pensioners’ Voice/National Pensioners’ Convention Joyce Smith Pensioners’ Voice Edna Dewison Pensioners’ Voice June Eyden Queens Park Residents’ Association Ron Lindsell UNISON Retired Members’ Group Mr & Mrs Prendergast John Wright Pensioners’ Voice Jean Anderton Anne Wishart Christiana & Sam Owusu-Akuffu Divine Prayer Society

1. WELCOMES AND INTRODUCTIONS Councillor Jane Hollis was introduced as the new Co-Chair for the Forum and she informed the group of her role as Borough and County Councillor for St David’s Ward. She also confirmed her commitment to standing up for minority groups who did not normally have a large voice.

The Forum members then introduced themselves.

2. APOLOGIES Apologies had been received from Roger Rumsey, Julia Lee, Harry Graham, Roger Clark, Mr & Mrs G Day, Jim Wishart and John Gardner.

3. MINUTES These were agreed as a true record.

4. MATTERS ARISING NOT ALREADY ON THE AGENDA Item 5 – NOPAG : Lindsey Ambrose offered members copies of the Action Plan and Work Plan. (Available on request from J Darby tel: 01604 837089 or email: [email protected] )

Item 6 – Annual Work Plan : It was reported that later versions of the Age Referendum had reflected the changes that had caused concern to the group. Over 78,000 people had taken part and the papers were to be presented to Gordon Brown on 4 th July.

1 Pensioners' Forum Minutes - Thursday, 14 June 2007

Item 6 – Local Democracy Week : Lindsey Ambrose and Pamela Crane were looking into the feasibility of inviting Wendy Jarrett to the event.

5. WASTE AND RE-CYCLING COLLECTIONS Tony Spiezick had sent his apologies to the meeting as he had been called away on urgent business; it was anticipated that he would deliver his presentation to the next meeting.

Action: Tony Spiezik to be invited to the 12 th July meeting of Pensioners’ Forum.

6. BUS FARES Richard Holmes, Principal Planning Officer at the Borough Council, explained that he had recently taken responsibility for transport issues from former colleague, Steve Pointer.

He informed the group that funding for concessionary bus fares came from central government under the Transport Act. The County scheme was administered in a joint agreement across all the districts, so that eligible passengers could travel countywide. The cost was allocated to the district where the passenger started their journey. He then commented on the complexity of the calculation for the refund to bus companies. The companies logged the number of trips made and the calculation was made on the average cost of trips. Whilst this was relatively simple within the Borough, as there were only two fare stages, things became more difficult in rural areas, where there were longer trips. There was concern that this system was open to abuse by the bus companies, who could record more trips than were actually being taken; however, Mr Holmes commented that councils relied on the integrity of the bus companies to produce accurate figures. Bus companies were currently undertaking an appeal against the Department of Transport, as they felt that the calculation methods did not produce adequate recompense for the concessionary users.

It was anticipated that the scheme would be expanded nationally, so that all districts had a joint agreement to enable nationwide travel. In order to facilitate this, the councils were working on a system of bus passes, possibly using photo-identification in order to reduce fraudulent use. Harry Tuttle pointed out that central government had allocated a total of £600 million over a two-year period for concessionary fares. Mr Holmes commented that, owing to the popularity of the scheme and the rise in car parking charges in the town, take-up had been higher than anticipated and the local budget allocation had had to be reviewed. When the scheme was rolled out nationally, under government control, there were likely to be further changes.

In response to an enquiry about the proposed closure of the bus station, Mr Holmes stated that this was not under his remit. However, a study was being undertaken, one of the options being that there could be a smaller terminus for long distance buses, possibly based at the railway station, for example, with stops in the town centre for local trips.

Hazel Tuttle enquired as to the rationale of not allowing free travel to concessionary travellers before 9.30am, which made morning buses extremely busy and made it difficult to travel to early medical appointments. She commented that, when the concession was for half-fare, travel was accessible at all times and that the time restriction had been introduced shortly after free travel was brought in. Mr Holmes agreed that this was causing a problem for disabled people as well, but that it was a government-led initiative to ensure that fare-paying travellers had priority use in early mornings for commuting. He was also concerned about the issue of concessionary travel for the carers of elderly and disabled people. Liz Percival felt that there ought not to be a problem for concessionary travellers waiting until after 9.30, as it was not unreasonable to be expected to pay a fare once in a while if an earlier journey was necessary.

Richard Holmes was thanked for his presentation and agreed to attend a future meeting with

2 Pensioners' Forum Minutes - Thursday, 14 June 2007 an update.

Action: 1. Lindsey Ambrose to pass on positive feedback about MK Metro Services to that company. 2. Lindsey Ambrose to liaise with Stagecoach, First, MK Metro and Northamptonshire County Council about accessibility of bus services and safety concerns, to seek a written update for the next meeting of the Pensioners’ Forum.

7. PENSIONERS' PARLIAMENT - UPDATE Harry Tuttle had recently attended a three-day conference at which a statement had been issued expressing pensioners’ frustration at the neglect of older people and low level of pensions. It had been proposed that pensions be raised to £119, to be updated annually, with a guarantee of free, long-term health care and nationwide free transport. He had communicated this motion to the Chronicle and Echo and the two local MPs. Neil Duncan- Jordan, National Officer of the National Pensioners’ Convention, had sent Mr Tuttle a letter of congratulations for his hard work.

Reg Deering commented on further bills that had been passed for endorsement, which related to healthy living, housing, life-long learning, national insurance and social services. There was to be a lobbying of MPs by pensioners’ groups on 24 th October and Joyce Smith informed the Forum of a coach trip that was being organised for this. Further details of this were available from her by ringing 01604 408189, or e-mailing [email protected] .

8. INFORMATION EXCHANGE (i) Intergenerational Activities Lindsey Ambrose reported on a number of intergenerational activities funded under the Money 4 Youth scheme that had been taking place, some in conjunction with Age Concern and other cross-community groups. They included young people helping more elderly people in the use of mobile phones, and older people helping younger people to learn craft activities. New developments extended work in Castle ward to Duston including intergenerational graffiti.

There was some discussion about the desirability of having community events, which also bring younger and older people together. Some comments noted that it would be nice to have performances including from dance groups such as the Age Concern entertainers at community events and the difficulty of obtaining portable stages for activities at events. L Ambrose informed the group that Northampton’s Youth Forum was purchasing portable staging under the Money 4 Youth scheme in hopes that it could be used in the community to bring people together at community events and would make it easier for communities to be able to access than commercial provision. It was also suggested that some community groups, e.g. Irish dancers, may have portable dance floors.

(ii) Talking Books for the Visually Impaired Harry Tuttle expressed his displeasure at the proposed County Council cuts in provision of the local Talking Book service, currently being provided through the Library Service. He had written to the local media and gathered approximately 500 signatures on a petition to present to the next County Council meeting on 28 th June. There was a general feeling of dissatisfaction that a £10,000 service was facing withdrawal in the light of the recently publicised redundancy and pension package for the former County Council Chief Executive.

Councillor Hollis reported that she had spoken with the County Council and the Northampton Association for the Blind and been informed that the service was not, in fact, being withdrawn but was being transferred to an alternative provider. However, the new service was not always suitable for all blind people, some of whom had additional medical conditions, such as arthritis,

3 Pensioners' Forum Minutes - Thursday, 14 June 2007 that caused dexterity problems and made the operation of the equipment more difficult.

It was suggested that authors be lobbied in an attempt to highlight the proposed cuts.

(iii) Victim Support It was agreed that Bob Dunn, an officer from Victim Support, who had been present during the early part of the meeting, should be invited to host a workshop at the Forum’s conference event, which it was hoped would happen in September.

(iv) Abington Community Centre Mrs Joyce Smith updated the meeting on the progress at Abington Community Centre, advising that it is now getting a new roof.

(v) Funding from Help the Aged Mrs Joyce Smith advised that she and members of Pensioners Voice had since the last meeting taken up Charlie Knell's advice at the last Forum meeting about applying to Help the Aged for £5 for each pensioner to get a free meal and that her application had been successful, with the result that she had received a cheque for about £355 that morning to pay for around 70 pensioners to go and have a meal out. She recommended that other pensioners might do likewise.

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held at 2.00pm at The Guildhall on Thursday 12 th July 2007.

The meeting concluded at 3.55pm M4965

4 Pensioners' Forum Minutes - Thursday, 14 June 2007 Northamptonshire Older People’s Advisory Group (NOPAG) Work Plan – March 2006/07

Task Links to other Activities Completion Success criteria Activities Achieved agenda’s/priorities Date (update Feb 07) 1 LAA – Outcome 2 Develop and link to network 31/3/2007 Network of older All OPHF linked to NOPAG. Increasing the quality of of OPAG or Older People’s people groups linked to Representation from Chair life and reducing social forums across NOPAG - and some members isolation for older people Northamptonshire OWEN, Nene Valley Daventry Older People Target 2.1 OPHF, forum developed (DAVOP) OPHF, – 2 reps attend OPHF, OPHF, Northampton Pensioners Daventry OP, Forum – formally elected 2 Northampton reps Pensioners 1a Promote and encourage Invite agencies to bring Ongoing To have active Active Ageing Strategy Council’s, PCT’s & other issues, plans and new engagement in developed in partnership bodies to engage with initiatives to meetings to development of Formal Links to strategic older people (EMOPAG discuss with older people policies effecting older bodies – HCOP Board and Minute Item4 Work plan) people Older People Thematic Partnership. Consulted and input into Transport Plan and concessionary fare scheme. OWEN campaigned to have East Northants review concessionary fare policy – now underway. Also green waste policy to be reviewed.

1c Actively promote and Ensure BME groups are 31/03/2007 To have Some representation from encourage the included in the network. representatives on Asian community – BME involvement of Black NOPAG groups targeted for the and Ethnic Minority conference, however more Older People (EMOPAG needs to be done to include Work plan) BME groups. 2 LAA - Outcome 2 Work in partnership with August 2006 Report produced Agreed with NCC officers Increasing the quality of supporting people team highlighting quality of that this research would not life and reducing social NCC and Health to carry out life and social isolation be carried out in this way. isolation for older people survey to establish a in Northamptonshire Agreed to incorporate social Target 2.2 baseline for the quality of isolation workshop into life and reducing social conference. Conference isolation of older people workshop identified need for older people network which will develop activities in areas that have little provision. Also need to develop information sharing. Active Ageing Network launched – first meeting held in December. Steering group appointed – with links across to NOPAG. 3 Transport - Community To lobby district, borough Ongoing Consistent approach Concessionary fare scheme Services Scrutiny and county councils to across – extended to East Committee Report improve concessionary fare Northamptonshire to Northants. “Promoting independent scheme. implementing living for older people in To review the effectiveness At annual concessionary fares Feedback given at Northamptonshire” of measures in the Local intervals scheme. conference about 22/05/2006 Transport Plan 2006/07 – Feedback from Older effectiveness of transport 2010/11 Full Accessibility People fed into across the county. Strategy. Officers at NCC and To communicate to Older Ongoing details given of People the measures in the planned changes to Full Accessibility Strategy. policy/delivery. 4 Membership Revisit the constitution and 31/03/2007 New members All areas represented agree wider range of regularly attending across the County – membership. Consider NOPAG preferred venue remains the rotating meetings around same. Regular attendance the County. and links to groups. 5 Older People Create working group to 31/11/2007 Conference taken Over 150 delegates all key Conference take forward plans for place. Satisfaction agencies involved. conference. from participants high. Excellent conference with Identify speakers and high levels of satisfaction respond to consultations. from delegates and key agencies. People reporting wanting more on a locality basis. Launched the 50+ network. Report produced, agreeing ways of moving outcomes forward via NOPAG and Active Ageing Network. AAN to develop workplan march 07.

N-OPAG Action Plan 2007/08

No. Activity By Whom By When Outcome 1 Increase membership/representation from Roger March 2008 To have a more BME groups to the N-OPAG structure John representative group Jonathan and to be able to take 1) To visit BME Thematic Partnership forward issues from and discuss representation BME communities 2) Visit local groups and discuss N- OPAG and representation

2 To work jointly with the Active Ageing Edna Dewison March 2008 To have jointly Network to develop local conferences aimed Jacqueline developed 2 locality at sharing information with older people and conferences, identified discussing local issues with key partners issues and related back to key partners. Feedback given to conference attendees

3 To have 2 representatives of N-OPAG on the Liz Percival May 2007 To have influenced local Older People’s Champion Forum for Georgina developments via the Northampton to represent the groups views forum and be a conduit for issues and ideas

4 Follow up “discharge from hospital” All steering group October 2007 To have agreed actions recommendations from Active Ageing Sonja Noon/Sue Ousley put forward from the Conference to invite representatives conference to 1) Invite Health, Age Concern and to the June meeting implement some of the Commissioning of Adult Services to next suggestions from meeting in June to raise issues and discuss attendees possible ways forward

so/mtgs/nopag/action plan 2007/08 5 To attend key Older People forums to To be decided (Chair Ongoing To have influenced local represent the views of N-OPAG and older and Vice Chair) planning groups people regarding older people’s 1) Attend HCOP Board and feedback to issues group 2) Attend Older People Thematic Partnership to influence the decisions on future funding and needs

6 To attend East Midlands OPAG (EMOPAG) Harry Graham Ongoing To feed into and to feed into and influence UK OPAG and John Weevil influence the national central government policy development Roger Better Government for Report back policy development to the group Older People (BGOP) agenda

so/mtgs/nopag/action plan 2007/08