20 September 2012
Steve Thomas CBE, WLGA Chief Executive said:
‘The Older People's Commissioner has a vitally important job to champion and promote the views of older service users throughout Wales. As key providers of public services recently published performance indicators for Welsh Government showed that 74 per cent of comparable indicators improved in local government on the previous year. In times of shrinking budgets and cuts this is to be welcomed. However there is no room for complacency since in key areas there remain variations in service which councils readily accept need addressing.’
‘We are working closely with the OPC to address issues in key services such as social care, housing, meals on wheels and dealing with programmes of active ageing. The fact that people are living longer is a testament to much of the excellent work of public services across Wales. Yet it is crucial that the quality of life also improves and the necessary support is in place for those in need. It is the task of all involved in public services to provide answers to the issues raised by the OPC but also to recognise that this grows increasingly difficult as the pressures on our services are relentless and budgets are shrinking.’
For more information contact: Suzanne Lewis
