Older persons champion
The Deputy Leader, Councillor Lewis Jones, has taken on the role of Champion for Older People in Torfaen. He works closely with the Older Persons Co-ordinator and Out reach Worker to promote issues relating to people aged 50 and over in political debates when deciding policy and service developments. Councillor Jones has met with the Forum network who will provide him with on-the-ground views to take forward in Cabinet and among fellow Councillors.
As his Deputy Leader portfolio is very busy, Councillor Jones is supported by Councillor Ken Clark in matters relating to older people. Through their political contacts with AMs and MPs, they can raise issues relating to national government in
Cardiffand Whitehallas well as sharing information with lead officers in organisations such as the Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust, the Local Health Board, Gwent Police, the Pension Service and voluntary organisations.
Having a lead political figure for older people shows how seriously the Council takes the changing population; where life expectancy is increasing we want quality of life to be good for these extra years.