Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is to elect an Age Friendly Champion.

At December’s Leisure and Development Committee meeting, Councillor Tanya Elder proposed that an elected member be formally nominated to take on the role of Age Friendly Champion to “provide leadership and ensuring continued focus on this important area”.

The proposal read: “This council recognises the importance of promoting positive ageing and ensuring that older people across Causeway Coast and Glens are valued, respected, and supported to live healthy, active, and connected lives.

“We also recognise the success of our Age Friendly Strategy and Action Plan, and the growing number of residents aged fifty and over in our borough.”

Members approved councillor Elder’s proposal to assign an elected member as an Age Friendly Champion for the Borough (pic: CC&G)

placeholder image — Members approved councillor Elder’s proposal to assign an elected member as an Age Friendly Champion for the Borough (pic: CC&G)

Councillor Elder noted the Borough has a growing and ageing population with more residents living longer and “wishing to remain active, independent, and connected within their communities”.

She added: “Causeway Coast and Glens already has a strong age friendly work in place through our age friendly strategy, the action plan, and representation on the over-55s forum.

“Appointing an Age Friendly Champion would strengthen the work by providing a dedicated and inclusive voice within the council chamber, supporting a joined-up approach between elected members, officers, and our community partners.

“The role would help ensure that the voices and lived experiences of older people, from across the whole community, continue to inform our decisions and priorities now and into the future.”

Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal. The decision will now go forward to the next full meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Council for ratification.