Council Of Elders Trust Proposed To Ensure Aging Voice Is Heard In New Council

Nelson City Council (NCC) candidate Phil Thompson proposes a Council of Elders Trust be set up to help the NCC embrace and respond to the needs of the region’s aging population.

According to Statistics New Zealand as of 2006, 14.5% of Nelson’s population was aged 65 and over, with the majority of those being over 70. Phil Thompson says it is clear from discussions with people in this age group that many are feeling disenfranchised from their City Council.

Thompson believes Nelson could benefit from a community trust that represents those groups and organisations with an interest in the elderly, based on successful models in places like New Plymouth (where 14.8% are over 65), Kapiti Coast and Waikato.

“I believe we can offer better representation in local government of the ageing,” Thompson says. “A Council of Elders Trust would mean the older generation would feel they are being heard regardless of the age demographic of council proper.

“Nelson has an aging community, who are not only getting older, they are becoming wiser,” he says. ”We should be grabbing hold of their wisdom and positively translating the lessons they have learnt into today’s policy development.

“I recognise there are a number of different age groups in Nelson that need council to represent them,” he says. “But I do think that we are missing an opportunity where Nelson’s ageing communities are concerned. If we want to be a positive community across the board, then we can’t afford to drop the ball here.

“For example, October 1st is the United Nations Day for Older Persons, and how is Nelson city celebrating it?” he says. “We’re not. Tasman is holding an event in Hope, but Nelson City is not doing anything, and I think that is a real shame.

“A Council of Elders Trust would provide a consultative mechanism to the NCC for the ageing community and its service sectors and agencies,” he says. “Elected members of the trust would include older persons themselves, and agencies such as Ministry of Social Development, Sports Tasman, Greypower, Age Concern, the NMDHB, and the Positively Aging Forum.

“The Trust would consult on a range of policies, such as carparking, public transport, sports and recreation facilities, and festivals and events,” he says. “For example, it might work with council on carparking policies for central Nelson, such as free parking for Gold Card holders during certain hours, or help establish Virtual Village Halls for people to watch council meetings via webcam.

“Looking at the New Plymouth example, the key to its success has been the drive from within the community, and the assurance that Council would listen and vice versa,” he says. “There would need to be rules of engagement and assurances that the Trust has input into NCC’s policies.”

Thompson says the NCC would likely provide a designated council staff member and elected member to work with the Trust.

“Looking at the regular letters to the editor, it seems that the aged are being heard by the NCC,” Thompson says. “The goal would be for more constructive communications with the NCC, empowering the community to become active participants in developing innovative solutions to the needs they have identified.

“I understand that the NCC’s Nelson Tasman Positive Ageing Policy (as part of its Wellbeing Policy) is currently being reviewed, so now is the perfect time to establish the Council of Elders Trust, to ensure the aged are consulted on policy that is developed to “better respond to the needs of older people in the region”.

“I know that there are a lot of very active people out there over 65 who would love to have a better way to interact with their council on positive opportunities. The important next step will be for both the NCC and the community itself to embrace the idea, so we can get it moving,” he concludes.

ENDS

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