Older People's Strategy - Newcastle City Council

25ContextIncreasingly public services are being required to engagecitizens in the design, development, delivery and evaluation oftheir services. ‘The voice of older people needs to be heard aspart of wider consultative processes. They need to be involved– and to involve themselves – in decision making’ (OpportunityAge). This is reinforced by the Local Government White Paperreferences to changing the way we work to enable citizens andcommunities to play their part (Strong and prosperouscommunities – Local Government White Paper – October 2006).Newcastle’s vision to be a vibrant, inclusive, safe, sustainableand modern European city can be achieved only by workingwith people and partners to devolve decision-making andempower individuals and communities to contribute andinfluence services. Newcastle City Council’s CommunityEngagement Strategy sets out how citizens will be encouragedand supported to do this.Older people already contribute substantially to local decisionmakingand are a resource whose talent, experience,knowledge and commitment can be drawn on for the benefitof their peers and the community as a whole.