Older People's Champions set to reinforce Highland Council's commitment to the older generations in support of Age Scotland and the Scottish Older People’s Assembly’s (SOPA) campaign

Highland Council has agreed to appoint three Older People’s Champions within the region.

The authority says it is making the move as part of its commitment to recognising and valuing the contributions that older people make to society.

It has agreed a motion to appoint three councillors to act as a link between the council and older people in the local area, with an amendment to take a report to the February 2022 Health and Social Care Committee.

The wording of the motion and amendment is as follows:

'Council recognises and values the contributions that older people play in our society.

'We are therefore seeking Council support for Age Scotland and the Scottish Older People’s Assembly’s (SOPA) campaign for every local authority in Scotland to establish the role of Older People’s Champion and to appoint three Councillors to the position across Highlands.

'An Older People’s Champion is a Councillor who acts as a link between the Council and older people in the local area.

'Age Scotland and SOPA also want to see a network of Older People’s Champions from across Scotland, who will be a voice for older people at local and national level, work together on shared challenges and collectively influence for change. It would be beneficial if our area were represented.

'With a growing older population, it is vital that local decision-making meets the needs of older people and that Councillors have a better understanding of these.

'Local authorities, health and social care partnerships and the Third Sector are responsible for providing and supporting so many services upon which older people rely – such as public transport, social care provision, housing, planning, and communities.

'As many local authority budgets are under pressure, older people need someone specifically tasked with representing and supporting their interests and finding out what they need from local decision-makers. There is no budgetary implication attached to this role.

'We believe the impact of COVID-19 on Scotland’s older people has only strengthened the need for an Older People’s Champion here.

'We hope that Highland Council can support this campaign and will establish the role of an Older People’s Champion for our Council. If Council agrees this motion, we propose a report to be taken to the February 2022 HSW Committee.

'There, a number of appointments will be considered with the role and remit and how the Older People's Champions will engage across HC services, also with partners in NHS Highland and HTSI.'

The motion is signed by councillors Mrs I MacKenzie Mr D Fraser Mrs I Campbell Mrs C Caddick, with amendment by Mrs L Munro

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.