Agenda item

To consider the responses received in respect of the Council’s recent Community Governance Review consultation exercise (report attached).

 

One or more of Amanda Bancroft, Interim Monitoring Officer, Karen Edwards, Executive Director and Alex Shiell, Service Manager – Policy, Strategy and Transformation will be in attendance at the meeting to provide a short presentation and to guide the discussion.

The Board welcomed Mrs Karen Edwards, Executive Director and Mr Alex Shiell, Service Manager – Policy, Strategy and Transformation, who provided an update on the recent consultation exercise that had been carried out in respect of the Community Governance Review (CGR).

 

The Board was advised that 412 local residents had provided an individual response to the survey. There was broad support for the view that parish councils or neighbourhood area committees in the Rushmoor area would help to make sure that local communities would have their views heard and be able to influence what happened in the local area. This view was particularly strongly held by Aldershot residents and less so by residents in Farnborough. Respondents expressed a preference for parish councils over neighbourhood area committees but concern was expressed over additional costs/precepts. The most common response in terms of what area a parish should cover was around the Boroughs two towns, Aldershot and Farnborough. Other areas were mentioned also, including North Camp/South Farnborough, Cove, Hawley and Southwood. The majority of residents only wanted this additional layer of local government if there was no increase to council tax bills. The Board was asked to express a view as to whether the Council should proceed to a second round Corporate Governance Review consultation.

 

In discussing the content of the presentation, the Board raised the following points:

 

·                    A view was expressed that, if progressing to a second round, residents should be asked what range of activities any parish council should undertake.

 

·                    It was confirmed that it would be for the new parish council to develop its own objectives – these could not be imposed on them.

 

·                    Need to make an effort to ensure residents understand how Neighbourhood Area Committees would work so that a reasonable comparison can be made between these and parish councils.

 

·                    We should give resident indicative figures as to what a parish council might cost.

 

·                    We need to protect and safeguard the assets we currently have.

 

·                    We should use plain english, such as ’additional cost to your council tax’ as opposed to ‘precept’.

 

·                    Can social media be used to get message across?

 

·                    How do we deal with ‘hard to reach’ groups such as young people, ethnic minorities and digitally excluded?

 

·                    Significant cost associated with door knock survey – considered elected members would have a role to play in this area.

 

·                    Could churches and Garrison Radio be good outlets for getting message out?

 

·                    Considered that a parish council covering the entire Aldershot and Farnborough area would be unusual.

 

In summarising the Board’s feedback on these matters, the Chairman made the following points:

 

·                    Support the recommendation to proceed to a second-round Corporate Governance Review consultation

 

·                    Reiterate that clear, concise and easy to understand information should be provided to residents alongside the consultation to enable them to make an informed decision, such as:

 

-       a comparison of the differences between parish councils and neighbourhood area committees

 

-       a demonstration of the cost-benefit of different combinations of precepts, assets and services

 

·                    Suggest that action is taken to improve the response rate, particularly amongst under-represented groups (younger people and the Nepali community, such as:

 

-       an enhanced communications campaign across digital channels and in person events

 

-       engagement of local partner and community groups.

 

·                    Encourage all councillors to promote the consultation to their communities.

 

The Chairman thanked Mrs Edwards and Mr Shiell for their input.