THE chairman of a failed Darlington pensioners' group has come under fire following claims that its members had made an impact on local and national issues.

Ken Brown, former secretary of the Darlington Older People's Forum - due to be disbanded and re-launched next Friday - told the D&S Times he was "outraged" by comments he believed had come from chairman, Clive Bullock.

Reports on Monday stated there was little on offer for older people when the forum was formed three years ago. It said a number of initiatives had then been developed including the Darlington Senior Citizens' Association and Better Government for Older People.

Mr Brown said the claims were untrue.

"Although these claims were not directly quoted in the story, I was told that Mr Bullock had said this," said Mr Brown.

"I am absolutely astonished, especially after the last forum meeting when Mr Bullock nodded in agreement that the forum had done nothing during the last three years.

"The Darlington Senior Citizens' Association has been on the go for many, many years and Better Government for Older People was brought out as a national strategy four years ago.

"This is a real slap in the face for the senior citizens' association members and the Better Government for Older People's regional advisory group, both of which I am a member of.

"The fact is the forum had to disband because of flagging membership and the lack of power. Representatives from other involved organisations had to make instant decisions."

A meeting at the town hall next Friday will decide on the constitution of the new forum along with a two-tier membership of leaders and workers and a bigger involvement from the council.

Mr Brown, secretary of Darlington Senior Citizens' Association for six years and also vice-chairman of the regional older person's advisory group, believed the move was ill advised.

"The forum will now be borough council-led and elderly people's opinions and experience on issues that directly affect them will become lost.

"It would be better staying disbanded so that money and effort can be concentrated on the organisations that are really working hard to make a difference to Darlington pensioners' lives."

Mr Bullock told the D&S Times he had not made the comments: "I did say there was little for older people in the town until three years ago but I never said the forum had developed the senior citizens' association or the government strategy.

"We hope the new forum will be an umbrella organisation where groups can get together and present a united front to national government."