Newton Abbot
Senior Council for Devon
Newton Abbot Group Agenda
A meeting will be held at The Scouts Hut,Newton Abbot at 10.00am on 7 November 2008
There will be a talk on behalf of the Primary Care Trust
1.Welcome and Apologies
2.Minutes of the Last Meeting
3.Planned Local Events
4.Talk followed by any questions.
5.Planned Local Events
6.AOB
7.Date of Next Meeting
All Welcome
Previous meetings
Senior Council for Devon
Newton Group Meeting
Thursday 17 April 2008.
The election for the Executive
Chairman Malcolm Froude
Vice Chair Denise Kaye
Treasurer Margaret Evans
Secretary Anne Marie Morris.
Executive Member Carol Brown
Executive Member Georgina Mardle
Executive Member Bob Newton
Executive Member Donald Polman
Executive Member Edna Whickham
Thursday 7th February 2008 Courtney Centre
A draft local constitution had been circulated prior to the meeting. A number of points were raised:
Name of local group to be referred to as The Executive.
Objects 2.(i): the importance of acting as a non-party political organisation was emphasised.
Powers 3.(ii) Clarification of 'Providing advice' was requested from directors.
The constitution was adopted by a show of hands there was only one abstention.
The next steps for the Senior Council in the area is raising awareness of the Council at publicity advents etc:
Encouraging more people over 50 to become members and new organisational members.
Collecting information about key issues for people over 50 locally.
Ensuring that the needs of people over 50 are taken more into account in the Newton Abbot community plan.
Making links and building relationships with all relevant authorities and organisations in the area.
AOB>
Concern has been expressed widely about proposals to charge for parking of coaches bringing parties into Newton Abbot for the market. It is thought that this could lead to some stallholders giving up their stalls on the market and this would cause a loss of amenities to older people in the town. Further information was requested for discussion at the next meeting
There is concern that plans to increase the pedestrianisation of shopping streets in Newton Abbot will reduce access for older people and people with disabilities. This is to be investigated. The Senior Council will raise this with the local Transport Forum and with Devon CC Highways.
News from the Transport Forum is that a consequence of the free bus pass(Up from 8,000 to 25,000 in Teignbridge) is that bus operators are facing the possibity of shortfall in their income. This, could lead to them considering to cutting local services that are valued by older people. It was suggested that the Senior Council should be represented on the Transport Forum .
The Next meeting
The following issues were raised at the meeting on 19th September 2007.
Transport
Cycling on pavements causes problems for older people – pavements for the pedestrians.
Private bus companies tend to cherry pick lucrative routes, leading to poor services
The Ring and Ride service isn’t flexible enough
Improved accessibility for older people with disabilities
Increased public transport in rural areas
More bus services are needed to serve the new hospital
More frequent train services
Bringing in more charges for parking is having a knock on effect in residential streets adjacent to car parks
Parking is a real problem on council estates and where there is more than one car owner in a house
Community Safety
There are no police about in the evenings to help older people feel safe enough to go pout – a visible presence is needed to reduce the fear of crime
Local control of police would force them to respond to local issues rather than focusing on government targets
There is a general lack of discipline and little enforcement of anti-social/illegal behaviour in our towns, apart from parking
Health and Social care
There is poor follow up services after illness and hospital discharge
Joint working across agencies isn’t good
More help and information is needed to access services e.g. benefits
The cost of phone calls to hospitals is excessive (35p a minute)
Marginalizing over 50s in the NHS
Shorter waiting times for social care
More physiotherapy widely available
More extensive podiatry services
Services at the point of need from social services
More hospital beds for the over 50s
More dentists
Environment and Leisure
Pavements need cleaning more often from dog fouling and chewing gum
Pavements are dangerously obstructed by temporary street furniture
More seats are needed in shops for older people
The look of the town centre in Newton Abbot should be improved and upgraded – we need to return to a more local character
Publicity about pathways to encourage walking
Free bowling and reduced prices for other healthy activities
Other issues
Greater support for liaison between young and old
More venues for OAP events and clubs with cheaper rents
Let people know where there is someone they can contact with their worries
Pensions in line with Europe