Issue - meetings

Scope and Terms of Reference

Meeting: 04/02/2008 - Scrutiny Review - Access to Services for Older People (Item 36)

Access Pathways Project

To hear from the Access Pathways Project Manager on the work being undertaken in relation to Older People’s Services.

Minutes:

The Access Pathways project is part of the Achieving Excellence programme and sits under Well-being in the governance structure and reports to the Citizen Focus Streamboard (Chaired by the Director of Adult, Culture and Community Services).

 

There are three main parts of the Access Pathways Project:

  1. Quality Information
  2. Improving access to information
  3. Looking at operational processes

 

The project is currently in the early stages of being shaped including considering the involvement of the voluntary sector.

 

There will be some ‘quick wins’ for example a Start Here link on the website which is an easy service which signposts people to the services they need through a number of links.

 

Points of discussion

 

The involvement of the voluntary sector was raised particularly regarding the smaller projects.  For example, Age Concern and the Citizen Advice Bureau are two of the biggest information providers in the borough.

 

Discussion around the involvement of the benefits maximisation work which has been carried out.  This is now going through Cabinet as the Income Maximisation Strategy.  There is a recognition that the Council should do all it can to drive uptake of benefits.

 

The Programme is about more than just saving money.  It is also about the perception of the council, efficiency savings and raising performance.

 

Noted that the Achieving Excellence Programme is internally run.