Minutes:
The Committee was reminded that, in 2012, the Council had provided the initial leadership to explore Belfast becoming an Age Friendly City and, in May 2012, the Lord Mayor had signed a declaration committing Belfast to this process by joining the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.
The Committee was advised that the Health Ageing Strategic Partnership (HASP) had been working collaboratively to ensure Belfast was an Age Friendly City. It was responsible for the development and implementation of the city’s Age Friendly Plan on behalf of the Council and the wider community planning partners. In the third Age Friendly Plan 2023 – 2027, partners were focusing on four thematic areas to address infrastructure, social inclusion, health and well-being, and financial security for older people.
It was reported that Age Friendly Belfast was a key workstream in the Belfast Agenda. It recognised Belfast’s older population with its diverse range of abilities and needs, along with the contribution older people make to their families, their communities and the economy.
The Committee was reminded that the Reference Group on Older People had supported the development of the Age Friendly Belfast Plan which included a commitment to promote Age Friendly employers within the city. The Council’s Age Friendly Coordinator, who was also the lead officer on the Reference Group for Older People, had asked that the Council consider adopting the Age Friendly Employer Pledge.
Age Friendly Employer Pledge
The Age Friendly Employer Pledge was for employers who recognised the importance and value of older workers; were committed to improving work for people in their 50s and 60s (and beyond) and were prepared to take action to help them flourish in a multigenerational workforce. The Council currently had 1060 employees who were aged 50 and above – 42. 9% of the workforce.
Currently over 450 employers had signed the pledge, which included other council’s such as Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council, Manchester City Council and more. The Age Friendly Employer Pledge (see Appendix 1 for more information) was a nationwide programme for employers that:
· Identified a senior sponsor for age-inclusion in the workforce and publicly state their commitment to the pledge;
· Ensured age was specifically named within their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies;
· Take action to improve the recruitment, retention and development of workers over 50 from one of the following areas:
- Create an age friendly culture
- Hire age positively
- Be flexible about flexible working
- Encourage career development at all ages
- Ensure everyone has the health support they need
The Committee was reminded that the Council had in place flexible working opportunities for all staff which were regularly advertised, there was regular staff support, opportunities for training or e-learning sessions on interview skills and selection techniques and that a comprehensive Health and Wellbeing programme in place covering menopause, yoga, musculoskeletal issues, addiction, stress awareness.
The Committee was advised that signing the Pledge signified that the Council would commit to take action in at least one of the above areas every year and report back to the Centre for Ageing Better.
The Director of Communications, Marketing and External Affairs had been nominated by CMT to be the Council’s senior sponsor for age-inclusion in the workforce should this proposal be agreed by the Committee.
The Committee noted the contents of this report and agreed to the Council signing up to the Age Friendly Employer Pledge.