Issue - items at meetings - Report of the Director of Adult Social Care/ Strategic Director, People, on ASC Performance

(copy attached)

44.1    This item was introduced by Philip Letchfield, Head of Performance and Contracting, ASC.

44.2    Members were informed that the Department of Health (DH) had launched ‘Local Accounts’: an annual, locally produced report on ASC performance. Local accounts are currently voluntary, and there is very little guidance on them, the intention being that each area develops a report that suits its specific needs. The question for Brighton & Hove is therefore how best to take this project forward. The intention is to consult with local people and stakeholders (including BHLINk and the Older People’s Council) to produce a Local Account that is of real use to local people.

44.3    In response to comments about the difficulty of getting members of the public to engage in a consultation on the format of the annual social care performance report, members were told that this issue was a tricky one, and that the council would have to plan carefully, considering how best to use stakeholders to encourage debate. Amongst the stakeholder groups/forms of publicity suggested as useful were: the BHLINk newsletter, The Pensioner newsletter, community newspapers, Community Development Teams and the Tenant Disability Group. It was also suggested that ASC might consider running a prize draw to encourage consultation responses.

44.4    RESOLVED – That the report be noted and officers invited to a future committee meeting to discuss a future iteration of their plans with regard to Local Accounts.