Minutes:
The Chair welcomed the
Executive Member for Finance and Governance and the Director of Finance to the
meeting and invited the Executive Member to deliver her presentation.
The budget consultation process
had been short due to several factors including the amount of work required to
close the budget gap and the timing of the local government settlement from
government.
Following agreement by
Executive to go out to consultation there was extensive online consultation
with the public. The Communications Team approached this well by explaining
complicated issues in plain English. There was also a Let’s Talk email address
the public could use to send views or ask questions.
There were four in-person
consultation events held in the North, South, East and
West of the town that were attended by approximately 90 residents. The sessions
were led by the Mayor and Executive Member for Finance and Governance. Senior
Officers also attended to offer detailed technical information where required.
The largest event was Acklam library at which local TV news attended.
There was a need to review how
to deliver the in-person consultation sessions as there was some disruption
from members of the public who asked questions not related to the budget. There
were also instances of Members posing unrelated questions at the sessions
despite their attendance being observational. Overall, however, there were lots
of challenging questions posed and good suggestions which included different
ways of operating the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. There was a lot more
understanding about the budget proposals when the Council’s financial position
was put into context.
The consultation was also
promoted on social media. There were 10 social media posts that had an
estimated reach of 36,525 people. All Members were provided with details of the
budget consultation so this could then be shared with their residents. The
consultation was also included on the Council newsletter that was sent to over
44,390 people with some 12,792 opening it.
The Mayor and Executive Member
both participated in media appearances with the Mayor appearing on local TV and
the Exec Member appearing on BBC Radio Tees. These were accompanied by formal
press releases.
The consultation also included
targeted consultation with groups affected by the proposals, including Social
Care proposals as well with the Northeast Chamber of Commerce.
Members were actively engaged
with the budget consultation process, with several briefing sessions being
held. Member training was held specifically around the budget setting process
and Executive Members and the Mayor had attended OSB and individual scrutiny
panels.
In terms of responses to the
consultation, there had been 1,171 responses to the online questionnaire which
was the highest response rate in the previous five years. Notes had been taken
at the public consultation events, with one proposal about community grants
being made by a member of OSB. There was also a suggestion made by a back bench
member about refuse collection.
Several budget proposals were
opposed by 40% or more of residents. These included car park charges at Stewart
Park which was withdrawn from consideration and the closure of Captain Cook
Birthplace Museum, which was deferred for further work to be undertaken.
Scrutiny also suggested about
community grants and the provision for small grants to individuals and
community groups to review the grants process.
The Executive Member invited
questions from the Board.
A Member queried if the
anything could be done different for the next consultation. It was commented
that the public facing sessions may have benefited from a central location.
However, it was also commented that, despite some disruption, previous
consultation sessions had taken place without incident, and it would be a shame
if the consultation sessions were not taken to the community. It was also
stated the sessions needed to greater degree of formality as some questions
were not relevant to the budget. It was suggested that a statement could be
made at future sessions.
The Chair commented that having
the consultation take place in the community was important and that security in
all Council settings was important. It was also clarified that the public
consultation sessions were not for Members as there were separate arrangements
for them.
A Member commented that Acklam
Library was a small venue for one of the sessions.
The Chair thanked the Executive
Member for Finance and Governance for the presentation.
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