Project lead: Local authorities

• Volunteers

How collaboration worked: The Committee meets bi-monthly to consider Council’s role in providing services, programs and facilities to older people, within the context of changing community needs and government regulations. It provides advice and leadership on the implementation of Council’s Age Friendly Strategy. A snapshot of the collaborative achievements of the Committee include: active involvement in the development of the Reform Readiness Plan supporting the transition of Council’s Aged Care Services to external service providers; key role in the community consultation and development of Surf Coast Shire Age Friendly Strategy 2020-2024; input and recommendations into the Council Plan and several projects focusing on pathways, housing, transportation and communication. Each committee member is also very active in their own community, so has a “finger on the pulse”, bringing relevant information and key issues and opportunities to each meeting. The Committee plays an important role in supporting and facilitating Positive Ageing Month activities and initiatives in October each year. It also plays an important advocacy role in breaking down barriers and addressing equity issues for older people in the community.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: Committee members undergo an application and selection process to be accepted onto the Committee. Following an induction process, they volunteer to attend meetings on a bi-monthly basis. Committee members fill the roles of Chair and Vice Chair. Council Officers prepare agendas and minutes, overseen by the Committee Chair Person. Members bring lived experience and insight to the agenda, participate in specialised sub-committee meetings and are active in local community groups.

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: No

Do you plan to evaluate your age-friendly practice? Yes

Feedback:
Through community engagement processes, the formation of a Positive Ageing Advisory Committee received full support from community members wanting to provide input and recommendations into the planning stage of Council strategies, plans and policies relating to older people. Anecdotal feedback indicates the community is pleased to hear that Council facilitates a Positive Ageing Advisory Committee. Members regularly provide feedback to local community groups such as Probus, Red Cross and Senior Citizens groups and vice versa. Community members also approach their local place-based representative to raise any particular age-related matters. Reflection from Councillor Gary Allen: “It is a privilege to be the Councillor representative on the Surf Coast Shire’s Positive Ageing Advisory Committee. The Committee provides the Councillors and Officers with invaluable advice to guide our journey to be an age-friendly community”

Expansion plans:
We are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to utilise the expertise and advocacy capacity of our Positive Ageing Advisory Committee in local strategies, policies and procedures. We are now planning a workshop to understand how we can best move forward so that the Committee can continue to evolve and remain relevant and vibrant in this space.

Reflections:
Council does not currently have a mechanism or project management system in place that is able to draw out stakeholder data. Although minutes are recorded for each meeting and an Action Register has recently been put in place, there is no annual activity that collates all this information into a single report that reflects the work of the Committee. Moving forward, it would be useful to produce a Positive Ageing Advisory Committee Annual Report that provides greater detail regarding members; meetings; advice given; advocacy; involvement in strategy development, policy and practice; and advice and leadership regarding the Age Friendly Strategy and other major projects. This would be an invaluable reporting tool that would greatly assist in the future evaluation of this age-friendly practice.

Challenges:
Working on building, nurturing and sustaining relationships with individual Committee members is important, especially given the frustrations many experience dealing with the often lengthy process and protocol of local government. Furthermore, focusing on what CAN be achieved and smaller successes, particularly in empowering communities, is also helpful. We have a very small team, being aware of what other departments of Council are doing in this space and how it affects this cohort of the community is also very important in addressing resourcing challenges and also working collaboratively to identify opportunities and build successes.