The whole world on show

Last night, I returned from a week in Dorset, and a review of Dorset County Council's Adult Social Services function.

I had worked as a "Member Peer" with a small team put together by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA). The review was very challenging - we undertook sixty interviews with a hundred and twenty people in three days - but it was incredibly worthwhile, and great experience.

Whilst the review itself is confidential, what struck me was how Dorchester - where Dorset's County Hall is located - seemed to have the whole world on show! I took a photo of one of the direction signs - whilst one of the arrows points to Dorset County Museum, the Old Crown Court and "Bus Stop D", the others point to Tutankhamun, the Roman Town House, the Dinosaur Museum, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Teddy Bear Museum.

With some of the most beautiful countryside and coastline, I came away feeling that it wouldn't be long before I was back for a proper look around!

Bound for Bucks!

Travelled up to Buckinghamshire on Monday night, where I'm working for the rest of the week for the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) undertaking a Peer Review of Buckinghamshire County County. We've been called in to do a "quick and dirty" report on the Public Health unit, under the title "Healthy Communities".

It'll be interesting to see how they're doing, particularly since Buckinghamshire County Council has been assessed as 'Excellent' and given the maximum four stars by the Audit Commission.

With me is the Chief Executive of North East Derbyshire District Council, a Strategic Director from Staffordshire County Council, and two consultants from the IDeA. We have three days - three days to arrange and conduct interviews, write up our initial conclusions, and put together a presentation for the Leader, Chief Executive, senior members and staff.

If nothing else, it'll be great experience...