The Brighton and Hove Older People’s Council (OPC)

The Brighton and Hove Older People’s Council (OPC) began in 2003 as an independent, non-party-political, voluntary group that is free to attend and participate in. It acts as a critical friend to Brighton and Hove Council through scrutiny of its’ business. It also gives a voice to people aged 50 and over who live in Brighton and Hove. Anyone can raise issues affecting local older people in the regular public meetings, and the OPC raise these issues within Council business, where possible.

Initially it was set up by Brighton & Hove Council with a support officer and Committee administrator; which then managed to establish strong links with Councillors and Council Officers. The OPC had a postal address and phone number within Council premises.

The OPC also aims to act as an information hub and consultative group for anyone seeking the views of older people in our city. This could be about plans, topics, or schemes that may affect older people.

Unfortunately, in 2017, the Council withdrew financial, secretarial, and administrative support from the OPC. We were given a one-off grant of £5000 and an expressed hope that we could continue as a self-supported organisation. We at least retained a seat at the Health Overview Scrutiny Committee (HOSC). Needless to say, OPC floundered in this ‘detached’ situation and needed to spend considerable time reinventing itself e.g purpose, scope, Constitution, ability to communicate with local people etc. It was perhaps necessarily inward-looking and there was little additional scope for campaigning etc. The Covid period hit hard, particularly with a group of people in advanced years who had health and caring commitments of their own. Some OPC executive members left or could no longer continue due to health issues. As a group of older people ourselves we are prone to episodes of discontinuity when members are no longer able to stay involved, but we are seeking to put in more robust processes to deal with this.

OPC attempted to meet with Councillors and Council officials to try and resurrect a working relationship. However, with all these challenges we have managed to meet regularly, grow our communication network and participation, and by 2022 avail ourselves of Council-provided accommodation.

We were delighted when our Vice-Chair, Ty Galvin, was elected as a Councillor in May 2023 and now holds responsibilities in Adult Social Care & Public Health ; Health & Wellbeing Board; City Environment, & Transport. Theresa Mackey was also successful in becoming a local Councillor in 2024. Cllr Kerry Pickett has also recently joined us.

We have decided on a structure of open meetings approximately every 2 months with a guest speaker; with an intervening executive meeting. We have a new Constitution which is simplified to reflect this.

In April 2024 we were invited by the Council to have non-voting places on 2 new -pre-decision making- scrutiny Committees: Place and People, which together with our place on the Health Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) gives us an opportunity to comment on a wide range of Council business, which returns us to our original purpose. Already some of our perspectives on this have been covered by the local press.

We have been involved and supported campaigns re Keeping Public toilets open; keeping Rail offices open; encouraging shops to keep at least one till staffed; retaining parking meters to avoid digital exclusion; considering the needs of older citizens in shared spaces and public transport, and latterly we have pledged to do what we can to publicise pensioner uptake of Pension Credit in the wake of the removal of the fuel allowance as a universal benefit. We have had some success in raising these issues in local media. We have also attended a number of events e.g. the Ageing Well Conference, Networking meeting organised by Age UK; a meeting with Jessica Gibbons the new Council CEO, together with Steve Hook, Lead for Health & Social Care; Bella Sankey, Council Leader; Peter Kyle MP; John Lewry, Youth Council rep; and OPC meetings in other areas, to see how we can improve. We are members of The National Pensioners Convention. We also participate in the Ageing Well festival.

At our AGM as part of the Ageing Well Festival and on World Older People’s Day we elected a full Executive, and are hopeful that we are now able to once more be a strong, active voice for older people in our city. We aim to be inclusive and welcome your participation so do please come along and join in.

Who we are:

• Mary Davies (Chair)
• Cllr Ty Galvin (Vice Chair)
• Michael Creedy (Treasurer)
• Sara Fulford (Joint Secretary).
• Bernadette Kent (Joint Secretary)
• Val Cane (Executive member)
• Cllr. Theresa Mackey (Executive member)
• Mo Marsh (Executive member)
• George Vaz (Executive member)
• Angela Stretton (Executive member)
• Cllr. Kerry Pickett (Co-optee.)
• Doug Thompson (Co-optee.)

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SOME CURRENT AREAS OF CONCERN FOR OLDER PEOPLE:

PROMOTING POSITIVE AGEING and INCLUSION

Challenge negative stereotypes of older people and ageism.

EQUAL ACCESS TO OUR CITY AND SERVICES

Access to friendly help and advice when needed without needing internet,

Digital only information excludes many older people.

Information dissemination through community navigators.

Single phone contact to get help and advice.

Better engagement of older people in decisions

ENVIRONMENT AND OUTDOOR SPACES

Parks with the facilities to exercise and meet other people.

More seating and toilet access throughout the city.

Safer pavements to prevent falls, without obstruction or bikes

Access to the seafront and beach.

HEALTHCARE

Wellbeing centres or mobile clinics for routine treatments.

More GPs within easy reach, face to face, easier appointment booking, and more home visits. Understandable information about social care, & high quality services.

COMBATTING POVERTY and ENCOURAGING TAKE UP OF BENEFITS

Especially Pension Credit. Campaign for Universal payments campaign e.g. winter fuel.

TRANSPORT

Maintain current bus pass use outside statutory times. Maintain bus subsidy especially to remote areas. Continued and improved access to community bus services. Freedom pass to include local rail services.

More disabled car parking, & Car parking without needing internet or phones.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ACTIVITY

More local companion groups.

City wide neighbourhood care scheme.

Support for community groups catering for diverse tastes and interests.

More evening events for older people.

Better communication of events suited for older people.