Consultation Response Form
Your name: Board of Trustees
Cymru Older Peoples Alliance
email / telephone number: Cymru.older.peoples.alliance@gmail.com
029 2043 1570
Your address: c/o Age Cymru Offices, Mariners House, Trident Court, East Moors Road, Cardiff, CF24 5TD
Are you completing the survey as a member of the public or on behalf of an organisation?
Member of the public
On behalf of an organisation – yes
Name of organisation (if applicable):
Cymru Older Peoples Alliance
Question 1:
We would like your views on whether we should make these proposed changes.
Do you agree that we should change the Regulations for the appointment of an Older People’s Commissioner for Wales from a 4-year term of office to a 7-year term of office in line with the other Welsh Commissioners? In doing so, we will remove the existing option to request a 2-year extension or to apply for a second 4-year term of office.
Yes yes
No
Don’t know
Question 2:
Do you have any additional comments to support your response?
This change is very much needed to regularise the appointment regime and avoid the need for ad-hoc extensions. It will bring parity with the other Commissioners, increase stability and continuity of the role, and ensure older people can sustain a longer-term relationship with the Commissioner. The proposals would provide more time and opportunity to develop and bring about changes that will be beneficial to older people – with a more realistic period to influence change in society that are often complex and require expert and high-level influencing and action over time.
Question 3:
We would like to know your views on the effects that these changes would have on the Welsh language, specifically on opportunities for people to use Welsh and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than English.
What effects do you think there would be? How could positive effects be increased, or negative effects be mitigated?
This would allow for continuation of the current arrangements on Welsh Language introduced and improved by successive Commissioners.
Question 4:
Please also explain how you believe the proposed changes could be formulated or changed to have a positive effect or increased positive effects on opportunities for people to use the Welsh language and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language, and no adverse effects on opportunities for people to use the Welsh language, and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language.
A Commissioner who is bilingual would be desirable but not essential
Question 5:
What do you think would be the likely effects on individuals and groups with protected characteristics from these changes? Your views on how positive effects could be increased, or negative effects mitigated, would also be welcome.
Responses to consultations are likely to be made public, on the internet or in a report. If you would prefer your response to remain anonymous, please tick here: yes