Issue - meetings

Local accounts are a key part of the TEASC programme.  They are seen as providing a mechanism by which every council demonstrates local engagement and accountability.  They are also a tool for planning improvements, as a result of sharing information on performance with people who use services and engaging with them to get feedback on their experience. The document attached at Appendix A is the full version of the report, but an executive summary and easy read version will be created to facilitate broader engagement.    This will done in collaboration with the adult social care service user and carer group

That the finance and performance information, and the public service standards contained in the report be noted, together with the current and future risks associated with the information provided and the strategic priorities identified.

Councillor Hirani (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Well-being) introduced the report Local Account 2013/14 which provided a mechanism by which councils were required to demonstrate local engagement and accountability.  It was also a tool for planning improvements, as a result of sharing information on performance with people who use services and engaging with them to get feedback on their experience. The document attached to the report from the Strategic Director, Adults had appended at Appendix A the full version of the report. Councillor Hirani advised that in response to feedback, the report had been made more accessible and an easy to read interactive version would be available on the council’s website. He drew attention to the partnership approach adopted in consultation and the role of other stakeholders. Councillor Hirani highlighted the increase in the number of people receiving home care and the variation in the number of hours of care from the average of 7.3 per week to 35 hours per week (at a cost of £21,400 per year). He referred to the Adult Social Care core priorities which included zero tolerance of abuse, prevention by supporting independence, early intervention and choice and control to help people access the support they wanted to meet their individual needs. Councillor Hirani paid tribute to the work of the Carers Hub which dealt with approximately 4,000 enquiries per year.

With the consent of the Cabinet, Councillor Warren addressed the meeting and welcomed the role of Healthwatch Brent as the council’s critical friend. He also sought more information on the number of safeguarding adults alerts, the outcome of  full investigations and why some were inconclusive. Councillor Hirani responded wherever possible cases were investigated but sufficient information was not always available to allow this.

RESOLVED:

that the finance and performance information and the public service standards contained in the report be noted, together with the current and future risks associated with the information provided and the strategic priorities identified.