New Localism Bill holds potential for older people

The coalition government's localism bill received its second reading this week. The idea is yet another attempt to empower local communities, giving local people more say in what goes on in their neighbourhoods and strengthening local democracy. We have yet to see if this latest effort is on course for greater success.

Age UK has its goal the making of local decisions bearing in mind the needs of all age groups. As such, the bill fits in well with this and would mean a better life for older people who, amongst others, use local services and public spaces. These include housing, planning, care and support and access to volunteering.

The need is for older people to have the confidence to step forward and influence local and national decisions. As shown in the government's own citizen Survey for 2009-10, older people are not as confident as younger groups in feeling they have the power to influence decisions. Therefore the challenge is somehow to convince older people that they can have a say in what goes on in their community and the country as a whole.

One way to begin to achieve this is to make available to older people clear information about their local services so that they can have a base from which to act.

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