29 March 2011
MARCH MEETING REPORT
Note- These are not verbatim minutes but just a personal record of the meeting.
The Chairlady opened the meeting at 2.00 p.m. and welcomed everyone.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 22nd February were read, approved and signed by the Chairlady.
MATTERS ARISING
No matters arising
SPEAKER
The Chairlady introduced the speaker Rachel Parker from Wulvern Housing. Rachel is part of the Active for Age team, previously known as the Older Persons team. This team looks after Wulvern’s Shelter properties, operates the emergency alarm scheme, including visits from the team, and does benefit referrals.
Rachel broadly does activities, tea dances, rips out, Nintendo wi-fi games etc. These are not restricted to Wulvern tenants –anyone can attend. Rachel is also involved with Wulvern walks, a program of walks of varying lengths to suite all abilities. Some are on all paved surfaces and so suitable for mobility scooters. They start in both Crewe and Nantwich usually at a place conveniently close to public transport.. Participation is free and they are lead by qualified walk leaders.
There is a weekly activity at Sir William Stanier school, every Monday during school term time from 11:00 to12:30. This includes some physical activities such as table tennis, badminton, netball shooting but also more sedate activities such as dominoes and cards. Refreshments are available.. The school can be most easily accessed by public transport from the bus stop on Elm Drive. There is more information in the magazines and leaflets available at the end of the meeting.
They also run horse riding sessions in conjunction with Age Concern.
The Chairlady thanked Rachel for coming to talk to us again and updating us on these activities.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
We have been featured in both the Sentinel and Chronicle on the closure of the Information Office at Crewe bus station.
I've been contacted by the Chronicle and Radio Stoke on the proposed axing of the minibus service to day centres and the proposed increase of the charge from £2.00 to £4.00
Budget contained nothing for pensioners. Winter fuel allowance is being cut back to £200/£300 depending on age. This was not even mentioned in the Chancellor’s speech.
A petition is being raised by the NPC. (Any one can sign it simply by sending their name and address to info@npcuk.org)
Although personal allowance was increased by £1000 which will help those on low incomes, age allowance will only go up by RPI.
NPC Briefing paper on the Budget, Bulletin No 49, report on UK Forum on Ageing and model letter to send to GPs received.
BT call charges have gone up yet in particular the call connect charge which is now over 10p
TREASURER’S REPORT
On behalf of the Treasurer, the Chairlady reported the current account balance.
The raffle raised £ 25.50 less £10.00 for prizes giving £15.50 for the funds.
MEMBERSHIP
Anyone wishing to go to Blackpool on the 14th June should give their names to Chairlady at the end of the meeting
TRANSPORT
Information office on the bus station has now closed. Bus timetable information is now provided in Delamere House.
WELFARE
No report as Kevan is in Leighton for an operation today.
Older People’s network is now the Over 50’s network.
NORTH WEST PENSIONERS REGIONAL ASSOCIATION
Kevan and Hugh attended. The meeting was addressed by Sarah Robinson from PCS union.
Apparently the DWP is no longer promoting Pension Credit and the home visit staff are being cut. It is proposed to stage a lunch time protest outside DWP offices on 11th April – nearest one is Warrington.
There being no further business the Chairlady closed the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
