Unwitting motorists face £1,000 fines as thousands of photocard driving licences expire Thousands of motorists are at risk of being fined up to £1,000 because they are unwittingly driving without a valid licence. To rub salt into wounds, drivers will have to a pay £17.50 to renew their card - a charge which critics have condemned as a 'stealth tax' and which will earn the Treasury an estimated £437million over 25 years. ***********************************************************************
On Saturday 31st May at the King’s Church, Terri Ferrari married Colin Belsey. Terri was employed by East Sussex County Council to bring the Eastbourne Seniors Forum into being, and the very successful launch that is featured in this newsletter is testament to the terrific job that she did. Colin is a former Mayor of Eastbourne and a current Borough Councillor for Ratton Ward and a great supporter of the ESF. We're sure you'll all join us in wishing Terri and Colin a long and happy life together. Final Meeting of the Eastbourne Forum for Older People At its meeting on 15 April 2008, the Eastbourne Forum for Older People agreed a motion to cease to meet. Steve Thornett, chairman of the new Eastbourne Seniors Forum, which had been launched on the previous day, spoke to the meeting about the aims and intentions of the new forum. The Seniors Forum "is an independent organisation which gives a collective voice to the over 50s of Eastbourne, helping them to influence decision-makers on issues which impact their everyday lives". The Forum takes its place alongside comparable groups in Lewes, the Havens, Seaford, Wealden, Rother and Hastings. It also has a place in the East Sussex Seniors Association. Steve noted that Eastbourne Seniors Forum wishes to work closely with all groups and organisations supporting the over 50s. Various matters about the new forum were discussed, and Steve asked the organisations' representatives who were present for guidance on others. After reviewing the history of the Eastbourne Forum for Older People as a meeting of organisations, the Chairman, Arnold Goldman, said that all those he had consulted - and he - felt that organisations and groups in contact with the Forum could now work directly with the Eastbourne Seniors Forum. All are recommended to be in touch with the Eastbourne Seniors Forum over their mutual interests. The relationship between the new Forum and the organisations shown at this meeting, both in general and over particular matters, was a model for future working style and relationship. E-mail Steve Thornett The chairman thanked his predecessor, the Forum's founding chairman, Gwen Ledger (to whom he would write); the staff of EAVS and its just-retired chief executive Lesley Goble; those who had advised him during the time of his chairmanship, not least his deputy, Richard Drinkall; and all the organisations which had contributed to the Forum over its many years of existence both in presentations and by attendance. The Chairman of East Sussex County Council, Cllr Bob Lacey OBE, spoke about the importance of involving older people in public services. He congratulated the Forum for Older People on the work it had done and noted its role as the midwife of the new forum. On behalf of the Forum's many organisations, he thanked the chairman for his work and presented him with an engraved crystal paperweight. The chairman thanked Cllr Lacey and the forum's contributors for the sentiments and their gift. (The paperweight will hold down such of his future correspondence as is not electronic.)
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The EOPF Chairman introduces |
Bob Lacey OBE, Chairman of |
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Those at the meeting then accepted a motion to stand down the Eastbourne Forum for Older People. It said in part,
Those present at the meeting included: Colin Akers (Age Concern Eastbourne), Chris Bradley (Sussex Partnership Trust), Christine Dallas, Richard Drinkall (Age Concern Eastbourne), Gerry Gillett (PO & BT Pensioners), Mal French (WRVS), Arnold Goldman (Forum chairman and Eastbourne Association of Voluntary Services), Bob Lacey OBE (Chairman, East Sussex County Council), Adrian Ley (Eastbourne CAB), Mike Nicholson (National Association of Retired Police Officers), Amanda Steer (Eastbourne Association of Voluntary Services) Steve Thornett (Eastbourne Seniors Forum), Walter Wingfield (Access Group and PARCHE) As a result of the dissolution, the Forum's website was scheduled for closure, with the potential loss of an enormous amount of very useful information that had been accumulated over a number of years. In order to avoid the loss, Eastbourne Seniors Forum undertook to take ownership of this information and host it on this site. To access this information, close this window and click on the Eastbourne Older People's Forum button on the left Eastbourne Seniors Forum takes off for 2008 Over 200 members and guests packed the Congress Suites in the Centre of Eastbourne yesterday for the launch of the Eastbourne Seniors Forum (ESF). The event was introduced by the Chairman of the ESF Launch Steering Committee, Steve Thornett, who welcomed those present and thanked the various associations that had given their support.. He noted that a third of the population are now over fifty; a very important section of the community. Steve then invited the Mayor of Eastbourne, Cllr. Mrs Mary Pooley, to open the event. Cllr. Pooley said: “This is a very important event for Eastbourne, especially for senior citizens. We will work together and make our voices heard.” Cllr. Pooley then cut a ribbon to open the proceedings. |
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ESF Chairman, Steve Thornett |
Cllr. Mary Pooley |
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The ESF was then formally launched by the Chairman of East Sussex County Council, Cllr. Bob Lacey OBE. Cllr. Lacey said: “This is a momentous occasion; ESF is the last piece of the jigsaw and completes the network of senior forums across the county. Bringing the forums together will create a stronger voice, a voice that will be heard. Cllr. Lacey went on to say: “There is no longer a case for anybody to do nothing; we can all be involved in something.” In concluding, he said: “We want pensioners to get a fair deal; not the last to be considered, .but equally considered with all other sections of society.”The East Sussex Champion for Older People, Cllr. Bill Bentley added his support for the ESF. He said: “This is a really special day. Three years ago, we started a journey to set up a network of seniors’ forums across the county and today, as Bob Lacey said, we fitted the last piece of the jigsaw.” He concluded by saying: “Older people’s voices are important to the county; we now have a process in place that is already influencing policy.”
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Cllr. Bob Lacey OBE |
Cllr Bill Bentley |
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Members were then able to enjoy the refreshments that were provided, and visit the stands of the supporting organisations, in no particular order: The Police, Neighbourhood Watch, East Sussex Healthy Homes, WRVS Heritage Group, Trading Standards, Care for the Carers, Anchor, The Pension Service, EAVS, ESSA, Age Concern Eastbourne, Falls Prevention, Help the Aged, Learning Skills Sussex Downs, Sure Start, Social Care Direct. They were joined by a number of other speakers including Dick Coates, the Police Commander for Eastbourne who gave a rousing speech on the importance of partnership between Police and community, reinforcing the message that Eastbourne is a very safe place in which to live. |
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ESF members enjoy the proceedings |
The ESF has now got off to a tremendous start and it falls to the new Committee that will be appointed at a meeting next week, to carry forward the newly agreed strategy and policy on a range of issues concerned with Health and Well-Being, Fear of Crime, Transport, and Learning in Later Life amongst others. A significant number of those who attended the launch, and had not already done so, signed up for membership and were invited by the Chairman to indicate any areas of special interest where they might feel they could make a significant contribution.
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For the ESF, this is just the start in its drive to become the voice for older people in Eastbourne. Audience participation at Question Time following the formal launch reinforced the importance of making the ESF voice heard in the community in any forum or debate where decisions affecting older people are being addressed. Volunteers needed for WRVS coffee shops in DGH The WRVS runs two busy coffee shops at the Eastbourne DGH which, a few weeks ago, catered for over 1,000 customers in a single day. These coffee shops are staffed by volunteers, and more are always welcome. So, if you would like to help provide visitors, patients and staff with a range of refreshments, as well as making a difference to each person's day, Project Manager, Mike Dobson or his assistant Russell, would be happy to hear from you. For more information about the service, call Mike or Russell on 01313-435666 Eastbourne Seniors Forum Open Meeting 18th September 2008
Following on from its successful launch at Eastbourne's Congress Suite in April, the Eastbourne Seniors Forum (ESF) held its first open meeting at the Hardwick Suite at the International Tennis Centre on 19th September 2008.
Over 120 members and guests listened to a very interesting speech by Nigel Waterson MP, speaking as the MP for Eastbourne, and Shadow minister for Older People, but mainly in his capacity as the Chairman of the Parliamentary All-Party Group for Older People.
In his speech, Mr Waterson highlighted the fact that in next General Election would be the first in history where over 50% of those eligible to vote would be over 50 years old. This, coupled with the fact that people over fifty were four times more likely to vote, made it likely that their interests would be targeted in the election campaign.
He then spoke about the 10p tax rate fiasco and the pressure of inflation on older people. He said that, because of the different pressures on their disposable income, inflation for pensioners was almost double that of the working population. Because pension increases were linked to inflation, rather than earnings, more and more pensioners were falling into poverty. In the whole of the EU, only pensioners in Spain, Latvia and Cyprus were more likely to fall into poverty than those in the UK. Mr Waterson warned that the restoration of the linkage of pensions to earnings was likely to slip, or be abandoned, in the current economic situation. Mr Waterson also touched on the subjects of longer life expectancy and the problems it would bring, and the challenges of fuel poverty and age discrimination. He closed his speech by telling the audience that the success of 'people power' in the 'Save the DGH' campaign had sent shock waves through the corridors of power. Download a copy of Nigel Waterson's speech Mr Waterson then invited questions from the floor. In response to Nigel Waterson’s comments on paucity of pensions and ‘grey power’ Edward Barden asked to put forward a motion “We propose that the state pension is increased by at least £5 per week”. This was neither seconded or officially noted. In response, Nigel Waterson suggested an analysis of pensioner’s living expenses, particularly disposable income relating to petrol and supermarket shopping. A lively discussion on bus services, or the absence thereof. A show of hands demonstrated that most of the audience were regular bus users. Mrs Irene Cope pointed out that attending evening social events, such as theatres and the new Cultural Centre when it opens, is not possible for Meads residents without their own transport as there are no buses after 6.30 pm. One member remarked that, having moved with her husband to Eastbourne in 2000 because of the excellent public transport, it has now been necessary to buy a car. Other problems highlighted were anti-social behaviour and over-crowding of buses by foreign students and school children preventing people from using free bus passes. It was noted that more effort needed to be put into matching bus routes to the travel requirements of Eastbourne residents. Sandie Spackman raised the problem of overcrowding on Eastbourne to Brighton trains and asked if extra carriages could be provided. Nigel Waterson offered to approach the service provider again on this issue and remarked that he would be traveling on that service himself that same evening and would make a note of any overcrowding
Mr Waterson was asked if he could explain why gas and electricity prices are linked to the price of oil. That was a complicated subject but Mr Waterson explained that he sees problems in the very near future because the UK is becoming more and more reliant on importing foreign gas. He announced himself to be a supporter of developing nuclear power, as coal-fired power stations were not the answer and alternative power generating methods such a wind and wave power could supply only a small fraction of future needs. An import point was raised about the withdrawal of concessions for pensioners attending courses at Sussex Downs College, especially as pensioners are being encouraged to keep themselves keep active and interested. Concessions are available for people on benefits and there are opportunities for people trying to get into work, but the leisure, hobby and general interest courses that pensioners especially enjoyed are either no longer available or too expensive. Nigel Waterson pointed out that the U3A was a good alternative to the local college. Mr Waterson was asked if he could explain why the council had initially made a serious mistake by not tendering for the regeneration as required, a situation that had cost £250,000 for work carried out before the mistake was discovered, and had then appointed the same company after tenders were received. Mr Waterson was unable to explain the complex technical reasons why this had happened, but expressed concern that in the current economic situation, the regeneration plans may have to be put on hold or possibly abandoned.
In answer to a comment suggesting that proportional representation should be introduced, Nigel Waterson explained that this was unlikely to happen and would not be a good idea because too many minority groups would receive votes and this would dilute the efficacy of any elected government. Following the Q&A session, ESF Chairman, Steve Thornett, explained that, if the ESF was to fulfil its expectations, it was essential that more members should join the Special Interest Groups (SIG's) so that the concerns of the members could be taken up with the appropriate service providers and, following the meeting, a number of people put themselves forward. Hopefully, we may soon look forward to progress on members' concerns. The 'Age Cage' visits the Eastbourne Arndale Centre The team of Help the Aged volunteers that is touring the country collecting signatures for its petition to have ageism included in the Government's proposed anti-discrimination legislation was in the Eastbourne Arndale Centre on Thursday 13th November with the 'Age Cage'.
Help the Aged volunteers, helped on occasions by ESF committee members, collected signatures from passing shoppers of all ages. Prospective contributors to the petition were 'lured' to the stand by a number of passers-by, of all ages, who spent a short stint in the Age Cage.
A total of 768 signatures were collected which meant that the Eastbourne event set a new record. Our thanks to Age Concern staff at the Venton Centre for stepping into the breach to supply additional copies of the petition form when supplies ran low. EASTBOURNE RESIDENTS DEMAND ACTION ON AGEISM FROM LOCAL MP Leading older people’s charity Help the Aged, along with the residents of Eastbourne are demanding the Government keeps to its promise to make age discrimination illegal and review its decision to delay drafting regulations for another 18 months. On Friday the 5th of December a group of local older people will be presenting the petition to Nigel Waterson, MP for Eastbourne.
Outside the workplace, discrimination on the grounds of age, including in health and social care services, is still legal. Help the Aged has been touring the country with an ‘Age Cage’ symbolising how older people are imprisoned by age prejudice. In Eastbourne there was an overwhelming response, with 757 people signing up to fight age discrimination in goods and services with 44 people having their photo’s taken in the ‘Age Cage’. Kate Jopling, Head of Public Affairs for Help the Aged, says: “Age discrimination blights the lives of older people in Eastbourne, leaving them caged in and cut off from the rest of society. “Earlier this year the Government made the commitment to ban ageism but they still have not made clear when and how the ban will come in. The Government has suggested it may spend 18 months working on regulations to bring in the ban - we know that older people cannot wait that long. “This petition shows that like Help the Aged the people of Eastbourne think the time to act is now. It is imperative Nigel Waterson listens to his constituents and make a very clear commitment to supporting a ban on age discrimination in the Equality Bill.” Research carried out for Help the Aged, shows three-quarters (74 per cent) of older people believe the Government isn’t responding to their needs.(1 Almost nine out of 10 people of all ages in the South East (86 per cent of survey respondents) think age discrimination should be outlawed completely (1). To support the Help the Aged Just Equal Treatment campaign:
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