Devon's Senior Council is now formally constituted

The Senior Council for Devon has officially become a constituted body, announcing its new Chairman and Board of Directors.

Its first meeting held on 19th March 08  in Exeter was attended by representatives from 26 of Devon’s market and coastal towns that now form the countywide Senior Council.  Collectively the 60 representatives from local groups make up the Senior Council’s Assembly.

Addressing the Assembly for the first time as Chairman, Bill Jordan, said:

“We have an excellent opportunity to make an impact in decision making with respect of local public services.

“Issues of particular interest to us include health and caring services, the environment and local transport.

“Although we are focusing very much on issues relating to people over the age of 50, we see our work within the context of improving the quality of life of the whole community.

“Our Members are already working alongside Devon’s Youth Parliament to identify issues of mutual concern to young and older people, so that we address them with the right authorities.”

Devon County Council’s Executive Member for Health and Social Affairs, Cllr Sally Morgan, and Jenny McNeill, Assistant Director of Devon Primary Care Trust, both welcomed the new Chairman and Board of Directors.

Both authorities support the Senior Council for Devon and have pledged funding to help its development.

Cllr Morgan said:

“The Senior Council has the potential to make a great deal of difference to public services for people over 50.

“Because it is truly independent, it will be acting in the best interests of people in that age group.

“Devon already has a high percentage of people over 50, and that figure is set to rise.  That is why it is so essential that there is a strong body in the Senior Council who can actively represent and help develop vital public services.

“The County Council is very pleased to support the Senior Council for Devon and look forward to a close working relationship with it in the future.”

Jenny McNeill of Devon PCT said:

“On behalf of Devon PCT, I welcome the new Chairman and Board of Directors of the Senior Council for Devon.  The PCT works closely with a range of public groups to help develop our services based upon people’s experiences.  The Senior Council will help us build that relationship in communities at a very local and meaningful level.”

Also elected today are:

·      Clifford Bell, Vice Chairman, from Barnstaple.

·       John Stedman, Treasurer, from Tiverton.

·       Ken Crawford, Secretary, from Okehampton

·       Graham Bowen, Director, from Great Torrington

·       Janet Crocker, Director, from Exeter

·       Malcolm Froude, Director, from Newton Abbot/Kingsteignton

·       Toni Hasler, Director, from South Molton

·       Derek Pedder, Director, from Sidmouth

·       Graham Rogers, Director, from Ivybridge

The Senior Council for Devon will operate as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

The Senior Council itself is a self governing, non party political and fully independent body, and it will use its position to influence, lobby and be part of local policy making to provide better local services for people over 50.

Already it has got involved at local levels with authorities including the County Council and PCT to shape how those authorities deliver local services.

Issues such as local transport, health and discrimination all register high as local priorities for young and old people.  

Other issues, raised at a county wide conference last October attended by older people and staff from a range of organisations, included  information, transport, adequate income, housing, accessible environments, environmental protection, and availability of and access to practical services.

Devon County Council provided the funding with the Department of Work and Pensions to undertake the development work and public meetings to help get the Senior Council off the ground.

For more information about the Senior Council for Devon, or to get involved with their local Senior Council group, contact TBN

or email:  scf.devon@virgin.net