Pre- Decision Scrutiny
Minutes:
The
committee scrutinised the following cabinet items:
Alternative
Model – Older Person’s Council
The
Older Person’s Council (OPC) had not been reviewed since it was set up in 2005.
With an ever increasing older population, plus changing issues affecting older
person’s lives, as well as the big changes around adult social care, it was the
right time to form a different type of model.
Members
emphasised how important it was for the voice of older people to be heard loud
and clear within Neath Port Talbot. Discussion had taken place over the last 2
years with members of the OPC, as well as various other groups within the local
community which engage older people. It was planned to hold a symposium around
April 2020 to speak to older people about the issues which affect their lives.
A mix of additional methods would be used to capture the views of older people,
including over the internet and face to face.
Members
praised the work of the current OPC, and noted that the same members could also
be a part of the new remodelled forum, if they so wished. Members stressed the
importance of capturing the views of representatives of older people, such as
carers.
It
was noted that there would be no change to the current age criteria, and older
people would be able to join from the age of fifty.
Following
scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet.