I attended the recent meeting of the Older People’s Council. As has been the case on previous occasions, committee members, several of whom were absent due to other commitments, and bigwigs, outnumbered members of the public.

Regrettably the future of the Older People’s Council looks bleak. Despite there being some 40,000 people over 65 in the area, it has failed to raise awareness or interest, which probably accounts for Brighton and Hove City Council cutting itself adrift. This is a pity, as I believe older people need a voice in today’s self-absorbed society.

The Older People’s Council’s Mission Statement suggests that its role is to retain a watching brief on the availability and accessibility of services for older people, to advance recognition and the contribution of older people and involve them in decision-making.

An important role. Although not involved in policy-making, its objective should be to influence policy.

Many of the people involved in the direction of the Older People’s Council have commitments to other organisations, which have their own needs.

In my view, an injection of new faces, outside the usual network and without other obligations, is required, preferably with promotional abilities.

The Older People’s Council needs to be seen proactively addressing current issues, for example associated with organ donations, not engaging in endless debate.

Gemma Scambler of the Brighton and Hove Carers Hub provided an outline of her organisations activities and highlighted some “need to know” facts.

The 2011 census revealed that 23,967 people had provided unpaid care in Brighton and Hove. Those concerned often provided endless hours of caring, with the inevitable result that it was impacting on their health and lives.

Nationally, the economic contribution of carers was said to be £132 billion per annum: locally it is estimated at £437 million.

It was estimated that 5,052 people aged 65 and over, provided unpaid care in 2015. Conservatively this is estimated to rise to 6,708 by 2030.

Suffice to say here, the role of the hub, which, among other things, was developed in response to the Care Act that improved carers’ rights, is to raise awareness, and identify and support carers.

Interestingly, I was not aware of any carers at this meeting. An opportunity lost?

Neil Kelly Tredcroft Road Hove