Lincolnshire County Council Falls Short In Adult Social Care

Lincolnshire County Council is not providing adequate social care for adults, a report states. The Audit Commission report says the council “is still not meeting the needs of some of its most vulnerable citizens”.

And because of this it continues to languish in the two-star rating category for the third year running.

But it is continuing to improve, say inspectors.

Individual scores for each service area show the council continues to perform well in areas such as schools and the care of children, libraries and heritage sites.

And its environmental services, which include transport, planning and waste management, achieved a top four-star grade.

The council offers services including home care and support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

“Crime is decreasing in most areas and children’s and cultural services have improved well,” say inspectors.

“However, adult social care has not improved and the council is having less impact on health inequalities.”

This week the council’s all-Conservative executive agreed to increase funding to adult social services by £27m, taking the annual budget to £136.6m.

This week the executive also agreed to a 3.5 per cent increase in its council tax levy.

It means that bills to Band D properties will rise by £34.56 to £1,021.76 per year.

For more on the Audit Commission’s report into Lincolnshire County Council, see Thursday’s Lincolnshire Echo.