New The Keighley & Bradford Pensionerkbpa.weebly.com/.../kbpa_september_2012_newletter.pdf · 2018. 9. 7. · economist, Andrew Dilnot last year. For the sake of clarity, Andrew Dilnot

The voice for pensioners in the Bradford District

Website: www.kbpa.weebly.com

Copyright © 2012 Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA)

The Keighley & Bradford

Pensioner

The Official Newsletter of Keighley & Bradford

Pensioners Association (KBPA)

September 2012

Welcome you to issue six of “The Keighley & Bradford Pensioner”, the newsletter from Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA) which is the voice for pensioners in the Bradford District Our membership has grown to 100 and we welcome new members, please see page 14 for more information and our membership form. We are pleased to announce that the next meeting of Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association will be held on Monday 10

th September at 1pm

in our new venue: Farish House, in the Communal Room, off South Street, Keighley We also have website, so why not visit: www.kbpa.weebly.com

The government has set out its

proposals for the reform of social

care in a White Paper.

This has been published alongside a

draft Care and Support Bill which will

become the main plank of social care

legislation, effectively replacing many

statutes from the last 16 years. A

progress report on funding reform was

also published.

We are thrilled to learn that the

government made a commitment to

the principle of capping costs, but

sadly that’s where the good news ends

because no radical decisions have

been taken on funding at all. It has to

wait for the next spending review in

two years’ time when the government

wants to look at cheaper options to the

£35,000 level suggested by the

economist, Andrew Dilnot last year.

For the sake of clarity, Andrew Dilnot

CBE, was asked by the Government to

chair an independent body, the

Commission on Funding of Care and

Support, with a remit for reviewing the

funding system for care and support in

England. It built on an extensive body

of work already undertaken in this area

and carried out new analysis before

providing advice and

recommendations on how to reform

the system in July last year. The point

we are making here is that over a year

ago, independent experts, selected by

the government, have already

undertaken extensive work to

recommend a way forward. So why is

the government procrastinating now?

According to Dilnot’s commission, the

contribution any individual makes to

their care, not including general living

costs, should be capped at £35,000

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and the level of assets at which people

living in residential care should have to

pay the full costs should rise to

£100,000. This simply makes the cost

to the individual a bit less daunting. It

would mean nobody would have to

spend more than 30% of their assets

paying for their care.

According to Dilnot the figures that the

government themselves published,

show the cost would be significantly

less than one x one-thousandth of total

public spending over the three years

covered by the comprehensive

spending review.

Dilnot claims that the average person

pays £10,000 tax a year. To implement

the recommendations he made last

year, which received wide support,

would require a mere increase of 10

pence per person in taxation. Can we

really not afford 10p to improve the

situation for when we too, become

old? Why is social care one of the few

areas that we don’t fund through

general taxation, like education and

the NHS?

Let’s not consider how quickly

ministers can find money for other

things if it seems electorally prudent.

This is about the future shape of our

society. It isn’t a transitory decision, a

momentary crisis. It is a decision that

will affect us all in one way or another.

If politicians think that a better deal for

older people is unaffordable then let’s

have that debate. At least that means

doing something rather than burying

their heads in the sand.

In our opinion the White Paper isn’t

worth the paper it’s printed on and

MPs of all parties should rise in revolt.

We at KBPA for one will be behind

them and would urge you to do the

same.

Bradford is one of the few cities who are showing the Paralympics on the Big Screen

Take the opportunity and come down to the new City Park and enjoy the atmosphere with the fountains whilst you watch and support our disabled athletes.

Stewards will be available with flags, chairs and beanbags to lounge on from 10.30am till 8pm everyday until Sunday 9th September. The new City Park toilets will be open until 5pm everyday including the Changing Place with hoist.

The Bradford & District Disabled

People’s Forum (BDPF) will be host

a round table discussion with

elected members of the Health &

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Social Care Scrutiny Committees of

Bradford Metropolitan District Council

(BDMC) with help and some help

Bradford District Senior Power (BDSP)

on:

Thursday 20th September from 2pm

- 4pm in the Function Hall at Carlisle

Business Centre, Carlisle Road,

Bradford, BD8 8BD

The event is being organised by

Bradford Alliance on Community Care

(BACC) and to register a place email:

[email protected] or telephone

01274 481590 or Text 07909 530646.

The national headlines have largely

been about how will this the “biggest

reform of social care support since

1948” be funded, what is included in

the £35,000 limit and how is insurance

going to be sold to meet these costs?

However, perhaps less debated are

the definitions of the bold concepts

used in the white paper, what

meanings are attached to ideas such

as “choice, dignity and respect or

personalisation” at a time of big cuts in

support services. These and issues

such as the national standards and

localism will be debated in round table

discussions by older and disabled

people meeting with the elected

members of the two scrutiny

committees charged with oversight of

local services.

The meeting on the 20th September

aims are to:

Develop shared understandings of the

reform proposals

Inform our elected representatives of

the views of disabled and older people

of the reform proposals

Share a Bradford perspective of the

proposed legislative changes

Contribute to the survey David Ward

MP is conducting on the reform

proposals which can be completed by

visiting:

http://survey.libdems.org.uk/take/988

Or requesting a copy of the survey

from Liberal Democrats at 460

Killinghall Road,Undercliffe Bradford

BD2 4SL or Tel 01274 458 010

BACC has been developing a new

website: http://www.bacc.uk.com and

invites comments to all its news stories

including the stories we have begun

about this reform of social care

support. For example take a look at

http://bacc.uk.com/news/comments-

on-the-funding-of-caring-for-our-future/

Some of the important points that

were raised in the Social Care White

Paper and Draft Care and Support

Bill.

From 2015 the government will

introduce national standards on

access to care services. At the

moment each council can set its own

criteria, creating a so called postal

lottery. National standards will help

people to understand what they are

entitled to.

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mailto:[email protected]

http://survey.libdems.org.uk/take/988

http://www.bacc.uk.com/

http://bacc.uk.com/news/comments-on-the-funding-of-caring-for-our-future/

http://bacc.uk.com/news/comments-on-the-funding-of-caring-for-our-future/




New rules will be introduced to make it

easier for older people to move

around the country, to live for

example, nearer to their relatives.

Currently they have to undergo new

assessments, which results in some

losing out. This will give people the

flexibility to make the most appropriate

choices about where they and their

families live.

The Government will offer state loans

for care costs and residential fees

can be taken from a person’s estate

after death. Interest will be charged but

the level of interest and whether this

will be capped is not known. However

this offers nothing new and local

authorities already offer deferred

payment schemes without interest.

People will be given access to

personal budgets (money given to

the person in lieu of services) by 2013

and have a legal right to them by 2015.

The government will also invite

expressions of interest to pilot direct

payments in residential care in the

summer of 2012. I was involved in

Personal Budget pilots and feel

strongly that until alternatives to direct

payments are offered universally to

older people who are unable to

manage direct payments, nothing

much will change. Council managed

budgets will continue to deceive

government statistics into thinking

Local authorities have older people

with a personal budget than they

actually have.

There will no longer be a requirement

for carers to provide regular and

substantial care, so any carer with

needs could be assessed.

The Government also plans to extend

the right to a carer’s assessment

and provide an entitlement to

services for the first time. A national

minimum eligibility threshold for

support for carers will be set.

However the amount of money needed

to fund this new entitlement will be

dependent on what money is available

in the system and we will have another

case of ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’

Local authority can charge for

services that they are not under a

duty to provide. For example, people

who are not eligible for the local

authorities help. For these services,

local authorities may also charge

‘arrangement’ costs. Up until now, it

has only been the services that have

been charged for, not the

‘management’ or ‘arrangement’

charge.

The government will be strengthening

support within communities. They

will introduce a duty on local

authorities to commission and provide

preventative services and fund or

encourage a number of projects to

encourage supportive networks of

volunteers within communities,

including Time Banking which is very

good news.

The social care needs of people facing

end of life are recognised with a

commitment to abolish means

testing for people on the end of life

care register. Most people would

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prefer to die at home but currently less

than a quarter are able to do so. We

simply cannot afford, in human or cost

terms, to continue to allow people to

die in hospital against their wishes.

Only time will tell if political will can be

turned into reality. If we sound cynical

it is because we have found over many

years that the devil is in the detail and

the implementation of policies. As

people come to terms with an ageing

population and the reality of a care

system stretched to breaking point, we

have faith that ‘the people’ will decide.

Let politicians from all parties heed our

warning.

Historic building skills, restoration

techniques and the local history of

Keighley will all be showcased at a

special event next month.

The Keighley Heritage Day on

Saturday, 8 September will run from

10am until 4pm on Church Green.

Crafts such as gilding, blacksmithing,

woodwork and stonemasonry will be

demonstrated and people will be given

the opportunity to talk to the experts

and learn about the traditional skills.

Bradford Council conservation officers

will also be available to give advice

about the Keighley Townscape

Heritage Initiative.

The Keighley Townscape Heritage

Initiative is a £2.7 million grant scheme

supported by the Heritage Lottery

Fund and Bradford Council to help

building owners repair and improve

their property.

The fund will be used for improvement

to historic buildings within the area of

North Street, High Street, Church

Street, Low Street and Bridge Street.

Refreshments will be served

throughout the day.

Coun Val Slater, Bradford Council

Heritage Champion, said: "This

heritage day will be a great chance to

find out more about the historic

buildings in Keighley and how the

Townscape initiative will provide a

regeneration boost and transform the

appearance of the town centre."

There are a number of other events

taking place in Keighley on the same

day including guided walks around

Cliffe Castle Park, vintage bus tours

around the town and an event in

Keighley Town Hall

Britain's second biggest energy

company SSE has announced it will

increase the price of its energy

tariffs by an average of 9% this

winter.

The price rise will hit five million

electricity customers and 3.4 million

gas customers when it takes effect on

15th October. SSE says the move is in

response to rising wholesale prices, as

well as increasing costs of using the

National Grid network.

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SSE, which was formerly called

Scottish & Southern Energy, said it will

cap bills after the October price rise

until at least the second half of 2013.

The doors of Bradford City Hall will

be thrown open to the public on the

Lord Mayor's Diamond Jubilee

Heritage Open Day.

Visitors will be able to explore the

magnificent Grade I listed building,

view the Civic silver collection, and

enjoy a tour of its many rooms. These

include the Lord Mayor's Rooms,

Council Chamber, former Law Courts,

and Banqueting Hall.

In conjunction with a nationally

organised Heritage Open Day, the free

event will be held on Saturday, 8

September from 10am until 4pm.

A number of special events will be laid

on for visitors to enjoy, including

fascinating court re-enactments from

1952 by local Magistrates.

These highly popular sessions will be

held in the former Law Courts at

10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and

2.30pm. The Lord Mayor, Coun Dale

Smith, will take part in the 11.30am

session.

All the cases are real and the re-

enactments are based on original

records.

There will also be a number of

fascinating exhibitions including Little

Diamonds of Bradford - a selection of

work created by local school children

to celebrate the Queen's Diamond

Jubilee - and a collection of royal

memorabilia that has been loaned by

local resident Judith Watkinson.

Visitors will also be able to watch

footage of the Queen's Coronation and

wedding, and view The Lord Mayor's

Scrapbook from 1952 to find out what

Alderman John Shee did during his

Civic Year.

Former Bradford archivist Tish

Lawson, meanwhile, will give a talk

entitled ‘From Town Hall to Royal

Residence: the visit of the Shah of

Persia to Bradford in 1889' at 12noon

and 2pm. Loraine Radcliffe, Civic

Affairs Manager, will also give a talk

called ‘Royal Reminiscences' - during

which she will relive royal visits and

explain what goes into planning a visit

for the Queen – at 11am and 1pm.

The Banqueting Hall will be

transformed into a Jubilee Street Party

Style Cafe for refreshments and a

children's picture trail, quiz and create

a crown competition will be held

throughout the day. People can also

buy tickets in the Diamond Jubilee

Raffle, with all proceeds going to the

Lord Mayor's Appeal.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun

Dale Smith, said: "This is a great

chance for visitors to see inside this

wonderful building, to find out more

about our history, and to relive a part

of Bradford's history in the Victorian

Law Courts.

"I would encourage as many people as

possible to take advantage of this

opportunity to celebrate our wonderful

heritage.

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Why not get involved with UK Older People’s Day on 1st October this year and help people think differently about older people and challenge stereotypes. For more information visit: . http://campaigns.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/olderpeoplesday/

On Sunday 16th September,

Keighley Town Council Civic

Service will take place at 3pm.

It will included an celebration of 10th

anniversary of the Town Council and

all are welcome to attend at St Anne’s

Church, North Street, Keighley

How we all benefit from the Reform of the existing Money Supply The high street banks created £1.140 billion of money in just 8 years by adding £1.141 billion to our debt burden, this fuelled the boom that run up to 2007, but also laid the foundations for the present financial crisis. If the government, instead of banks, had created that £1.141 billion, it could have been used to pay for schools, hospitals and world class public services before it actually ended up in the hand of the public. The public could have then used that £1.141

billion to buy everything that they did anyway, but without increasing our debt burden. Under the current system, the method of creating money (through high street banks):

increase the debt burden – because as we borrow more we create more money that the banks can use to make even more loans;

increases the risk of financial crisis – by forcing banks to keep lending more and more, until they are lending to very riskiest borrowers.

creates a situation where everything get more expensive (as money supply grows by 10% per year and creates inflation of a similar amount) and the standard of living falls and falls (because prices rise while the proportion of our income swallowed by mortgage repayments or rent goes up and up).

In contrast, when we create money through the Bank of England and government we:

Reduce the debt burden of the nation – by allowing the government to clear the national debt, reduce taxes, fund better government services (and putting more money into the hands of the public through the salaries of public sector workers and government contractors) and better pensions for all.

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http://campaigns.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/olderpeoplesday/

http://campaigns.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/olderpeoplesday/




Reduce the risk of financial crisis – by increasing the money supply by a lower annual rate, thereby preventing inflation or asset bubbles in the housing market and other speculative bubbles.

Increase economic stability – by ending the money creation that fuels risky and excessive lending, ending the pattern of ‘very good years’ followed by ‘very bad years’.

Raise the standards of living on year – by adding to nation’s infrastructure and reducing the proportion of our money supply that is debt. As or debt burden falls from 130%+ of our GDP to somewhere around 50% of GDP, our repayments will fall and our disposable income will rise.

For more information about the money supply why not visit: http://www.moneyreformparty.org.uk/ Focus Group for Older People Monthly discussion group that’s over 100 older people go to and contribute their views and get involved with others with similar interests. It is run by Bradford Adult and Community Services and starts at 11am till 12:30 pm, then lunch (Lunch cost £3.50) The dates of the Focus Group for Older People are:

Friday 21st September at the Alhambra Studios, Bradford

Tuesday 23rd October at Victorial Hall, Saltaire

Thursday 22nd November at the Banqueting Suite, Bradford City Hall

An advisory group has been formed for the Focus Group for Older People and the membership of the group included: Joan Fenton; Pam James: Anne Grice; David Gott and Ernie Lloyd If you would like more information about the Focus Group for Older People, please contact Jeanette Booth on 01274 437957 or email: [email protected] Why not visit and take time out: Drop-in Open House for Seniors, meeting at The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 2pm. (excluding Bank Holidays) Programme includes: exercise every week, alternating Mondays and Tuesdays; light refreshments at affordable prices; occasional speakers on relevant subjects for older people; occasional arts/ crafts/ creative writing/ reminiscences. For more information about Open house contact: Mrs Pam James on 01274 564075

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http://www.moneyreformparty.org.uk/


Bradford Shares Event

The Civic Centre, North Street, Keighley, Wednesday19th September,

1pm-3pm

Aged over 55 in the Bradford area and looking for something to do?

If you’re interested in sharing skills such as gardening, baking or reading with other people, or would benefit from the help of a volunteer, come and find out about our Bradford Shares scheme!

We will be offering our members befriending, group activities, leisure activities and much more!

We will be offering light refreshments, but please feel free to

show off your skills by bringing your own cakes to share!

For more information or to book a place at the event, please contact Shona Grange on 01274 482438 or 07964115416 9

Bradford Shares

Do you enjoy socialising? Do you have a couple of hours a week to spare? Could you help an older adult in Bradford?

We are looking for a team of volunteers to help us to run a befriending service for clients. You will be involved in either calling clients on the phone, visiting them in their homes, writing letters or accompanying them in the community. You will be volunteering for three to four hours a week. You will need to be: • Friendly • Approachable • Trustworthy • Flexible • Reliable

You will receive full training and supervision to ensure your success in the role. Please contact Shona Grange on 01274 482438 for more information, or email [email protected]. You will need to fill in an application form and have an interview.

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Keighley Over 50s is a drop-in centre and cafe that is open every Monday and Wednesday from 10am to 2pm at the Keighley Shared Church Hall. Fresh, home prepared food including soup, sandwiches and snacks are on offer at very reasonable prices. Activities and trips are also often arranged. For more information about the drop-in contact John Hanson, the Keighley Over 50s Co-ordinator on 07954 376644. Horton Outreach/The Restaurant in the Church Social Day Care for the over 55s with up to 25 places per day and provides lunches for the retired and disabled at St. Columba's Church, St. Margaret’s Place, Bradford BD7 3AW. Meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30pm, transport is available on request. Tel: 01274 502536 or email: [email protected] or visit: www.hortonoutreach.co.uk Seniors Dance Workshop at the Alhambra Theatre / last Thursday of each month / 11.00-12.00 / £3.Salsa / Line-dancing / Ballroom / Belly-dance / Swing'n'jive. etc. Contact: Colleen on 01274 577026 / e-mail: [email protected] Help Getting Out Dial-a-Ride Transport for those people in Keighley who are unable to access public transport due to physical or mental health.

They have 2 vehicles that are accessible to wheelchair users. Charges are subsidised and start at £3 for a single journey and £4 for a return journey. Tel: 01535 611101 Volunteer Centre (Bradford) - Community Transport Scheme a volunteer driver service for older people operates Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm (but, if available, volunteer drivers can provide their services outside these hours). C/o Volunteering Bradford, 19-25 Sunbridge Road, Bradford BD1 2AY Tel: 01274 725434 or email: [email protected] Dates of KBPA next meetings Monday’s 8th October, 12th November and 10th December starting at 1pm at Farish House, in the Communal Room off South Street, Keighley

Trevor Holdsworth Secretary Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA) C/o 19 Quebec House, Westgate Gardens, Keighley, BD21 1NX Tel: 01535 690950 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kbpa.weebly.com

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http://www.hortonoutreach.co.uk/





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We at KBPA support the National Pensioner Convention (NPC)

Dignity Code

The purpose of this Dignity Code is to uphold the rights and maintain the personal dignity of older people, within the context of ensuring the health, safety and well-being of those who are increasingly less able to care for themselves or to properly conduct their affairs. This Code recognises that certain practices and actions are unacceptable to older people, such as:

Being abusive or disrespectful in any way, ignoring people or assuming they cannot do things for themselves

Treating older people as objects or speaking about them in their presence as if they were not there

Not respecting the need for privacy

Not informing older people of what is happening in a way that they can understand

Changing the older person’s environment without their permission

Intervening or performing care without consent

Using unnecessary medication or restraints

Failing to take care of an older person’s personal appearance

Not allowing older people to speak for themselves, either directly or through the use of a friend, relative or advocate

Refusing treatment on the grounds of age This Code therefore calls for:

Respect for individuals to make up their own minds, and for their personal wishes as expressed in ‘living wills’, for implementation when they can no longer express themselves clearly

Respect for an individual’s habits, values, particular cultural background and any needs, linguistic or otherwise

The use of formal spoken terms of address, unless invited to do otherwise

Comfort, consideration, inclusion, participation, stimulation and a sense of purpose in all aspects of care

Care to be adapted to the needs of the individual

Support for the individual to maintain their hygiene and personal appearance

Respect for people’s homes, living space and privacy

Concerns to be dealt with thoroughly and the right to complain without fear of retribution

The provision of advocacy services where appropriate

NPC Walkden House, 10 Melton Street, London NW1 2EJ www.npcuk.org

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http://www.npcuk.org/




Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA) purpose is to:

Improve the welfare of people over retirement ages who reside in the Bradford Metropolitan District Council area.

Provide facilities and opportunities in the Borough for retired people to meet, discuss matters of common interest and undertake action to advance their well-being.

Disseminate information on and seek support for campaigns in the interest of retired people of the area of Bradford District.

Proactively engage with retired people in the Borough whatever their age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnic origin, culture, religion, means, background or abilities

membership shall be people who support the work of the association and are aged 18 or over.

So why not join Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA) and make your voice heard with our existing 100 members for a fairer Bradford, Keighley & District and share in our demand for better services for all. Although our membership fee is £5 per person, you can still be an unpaid member of KBPA.

All members whether paid or unpaid will receive our informative “Keighley & Bradford Pensioner” newsletter every month. Please print and complete the membership form, enclose your £5 yearly membership fee or indicating that you which to become an unpaid member and donations are welcome, sending them to: Mr Geoff Watson Membership Secretary: Keighley & Bradford Pensioners Association (KBPA) C/o 11 Thornfield Hall, 410 Thornton Road, Bradford, BD13 3EE Got a question or comments? Then please email us at: [email protected] Website: www.kbpa.weebly.com

KBPA Membership Form

Title & Name:

Address:

Postcode:

Telephone:

Email Address:

Member: £ Unpaid Member:

Keighley & Bradford Pensioners

Association campaigning for pensioners in the Bradford District

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Documents

New The Keighley & Bradford Pensionerkbpa.weebly.com/.../kbpa_september_2012_newletter.pdf · 2018. 9. 7. · economist, Andrew Dilnot last year. For the sake of clarity, Andrew Dilnot