To consider the Council’s approach to public engagement and involvement
in relation to the next stages of the Local Government Reorganisation process
(papers to follow).
Karen Edwards, Executive Director and Alex Shiell, Service Manager – Policy, Strategy and
Transformation will be in attendance at the meeting to guide the discussion.
Minutes:
The Board welcomed Mrs Karen Edwards, Executive Director and Alex Shiell, Service Manager – Policy, Strategy and Transformation, who provided an update on recent work that had been undertaken in relation to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
The Board was advised that this was a fast-moving area with the position developing on a daily basis. It was confirmed that twelve of the fifteen Councils in the Hampshire and Solent area continued to work together, through the KPMG Programme, towards the submission deadline of 26th September, 2025. Currently, Chief Executives met on a weekly basis and Council Leaders every fortnight. Funding to support the work totalled £542,000 across Hampshire and Leaders were currently discussing individual allocations. Members were informed that that a Ministerial Statement on LGR had been released on 3rd June and this had provided further detail in many areas. The Board was informed that the item today was specifically about the approach around public engagement and involvement in relation to LGR. As this needed to be done before the submission date of 26th September, this was now a priority task.
Regarding public engagement, it was acknowledged that this was a confusing picture for residents, with a number of options within the preferred approach. It was likely that Hampshire County Council would be consulting with residents at the same time as the ‘KPMG’ authorities and this would present a completely different approach. The proposed engagement approach was:
· Group led engagement from the twelve Councils remaining in the ‘KPMG Group’ – all favouring the four unitary option
· Basingstoke, Hart and Rushmoor – Leaders have agreed to joint additional engagement around whether there was support for the establishment of a Unitary Council based on combined geography, a Northern Hampshire authority
· Rushmoor led engagement to be scoped – to establish what is important to local residents
In discussing the content of the presentation, the Board raised the following points:
· Parishing – should Rushmoor form town and/or parish councils ahead of LGR implementation? Agreed it was complex and difficult to determine without an indication of what the additional costs would be of forming. Council could consider a site visit to a Council currently operating with parish councils? Agreed that further investigation into the viability of parishing should be undertaken.
· How to engage with those excluded from consultation ‘drop-ins’? Would home visits be provided?
· Agreed that sample size appeared too small.
· Agreed that colleges/young people should be a high priority.
In summarising the Board’s feedback on this matter, the Chairman made the following points:
· Sample size should be increased and Board would like to see cost analysis behind that
· Should be drop-ins in town centre locations, including North Camp
· Analyse gaps whilst doing engagement to add specific approach to deal with them, to be reviewed regularly
· Particularly target young people, schools, colleges and Garrison – should be balanced group with provision for those with limited access
· Make it clear what the impact is so residents understand what they are being asked about
· Provide simplified visuals for those with learning difficulties
The Chairman thanked Mrs Edwards and Mr Shiell for their input.