Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Roni Hearn.

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Roni Hearn.

There were no declarations of interest.

To review the scoping document for the Scrutiny Review of Resident Engagement.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the scoping document for the Scrutiny Review of Resident Engagement for Members consideration.

Members considered the focus of the review and agreed that the following issues should be included in the review:

·         The effectiveness of the residents survey;

·         The use of social media/digital platforms;

·         Taking best practice for other local authorities;

·         Establish what currently works well and what needs improving;

·         That the review considers the ladder of participation to see how this is used and whether the Council has listened and changed its policies – ‘You Said We Did’.

In relation to the residents’ survey, concern was expressed regarding the sample of residents used and the responses received. Officers agreed to arrange for an explanation of the details of the survey to a meeting of the Committee.

Officers agreed to investigate the work of other local authorities in this area and bring back the findings to the Committee.

Members agreed the importance of engaging Council Housing tenants as the largest group of customers for the Council and also ensuring the involvement of young people through the Youth Council and other youth groups.

Suggested witnesses for the Committee to question were agreed including relevant Council Officers and Executive Portfolio Holders. A number of Members also agreed to focus on individual areas such as identifying the Council’s current communication avenues, making contact with the Youth Council and bringing a focus to the equalities and diversity issues for the review.

It was RESOLVED that officers update the scoping document based on the discussions above and report back to a scheduled meeting of the Committee in July.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the scoping document for the Scrutiny Review of Resident Engagement for Members consideration.

Members considered the focus of the review and agreed that the following issues should be included in the review:

·         The effectiveness of the residents survey;

·         The use of social media/digital platforms;

·         Taking best practice for other local authorities;

·         Establish what currently works well and what needs improving;

·         That the review considers the ladder of participation to see how this is used and whether the Council has listened and changed its policies – ‘You Said We Did’.

In relation to the residents’ survey, concern was expressed regarding the sample of residents used and the responses received. Officers agreed to arrange for an explanation of the details of the survey to a meeting of the Committee.

Officers agreed to investigate the work of other local authorities in this area including those authorities known to have used social media platforms and bring back the findings to the Committee.

Members agreed the importance of engaging Council Housing tenants as the largest group of customers for the Council and also ensuring the involvement of young people through the Youth Council and other youth groups. Ward ‘walk throughs’ with local Members and officers were also a good way of engaging with local residents if undertaken at appropriate times. Consultation and engagement must be meaningful

Suggested witnesses for the Committee to question were agreed including relevant Council Officers and Executive Portfolio Holders. A number of Members also agreed to focus on individual areas such as identifying the Council’s current communication avenues, making contact with the Youth Council and bringing a focus to the equalities and diversity issues for the review.

It was RESOLVED that officers update the scoping document based on the discussions above and report back to a scheduled meeting of the Committee in July.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

None.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

None.