Agenda item

(To receive a report by Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, and Rachel Wilson, Democratic Services Officer, which enables the Scrutiny Panel to engage in discussions with the Community Engagement Team to agree the purpose, scope and objectives of any engagement to be carried out as part of reviewing the Impact of the Part Night Street Lighting Policy)

The Scrutiny Panel were provided with an opportunity to engage with a member of the Council's Community Engagement Team to agree the purpose, scope and objectives of any engagement to be carried out as part of reviewing the impact of the part night street lighting policy.

Members were reminded that the policy itself was not under review, and there was a need to be clear about what was in the scope and what was out of scope of the review.

There was a need, when asking questions, to ensure that the right questions were asked.  There were a number of ways to gather information such through questionnaires, focus groups or public meetings.  The Community Engagement Team was able to facilitate the conversations between the Panel and wider stakeholder groups.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was commented that from a lot of the comments which had been received, and the concerns that people had, there was a lot of 'hear say'.  There was a need to start with some quantitative data.

·         It was suggested whether some sort of 'business card' could be produced which could be handed out to the business community which gave contact details on how people could contribute their views to the Review.

·         Social media channels could be used to drive people to a central place to give their views.

·         It was important to reach as many people as possible.

·         If the Panel wanted the questionnaire to generate a lot of responses it would be sensible to keep it simple and succinct, but people should always be given the opportunity to give their views.

·         The Community Engagement Team would work closely with the Communications Team and could distribute the questionnaire, or a link to the questionnaire, through social media.

·         It was noted that a few complaints had been received by members regarding the street lights going off earlier since the clocks had changed, and it was suggested that a message should be got out that the units were self-adjusting and should correct within a couple of weeks of the clocks changing.  It was queried whether the Communications team could arrange this so that there were not mixed messages regarding the Review, and it was noted that something had gone out to the local media.  It was also noted that the CSC had been briefed.

·         It was queried whether these messages would be made available in different languages, and members were assured that documents could be made available in different languages if required, as well as making them available in larger fonts for people with sight issues.

·         Sometimes to have a snapshot of a broader view was just as powerful as making sure everyone could give their view.

·         It was felt that this questionnaire/engagement should be web-based, rather than producing printed forms, with an option to download and return the form.

·         It was noted that there would be information about this engagement going to every household through County News.  It was also noted that most districts produced their own bulletin which could also sign post people to the questionnaire.

·         The Communications Team would be able to ensure that the district/parish councils had the contact details for completing the questionnaire.

·         It was suggested that people completing the questionnaire be asked in what capacity they were responding e.g. as an individual or on behalf of a community group/parish council etc.

·         It was suggested that focus groups around the county could be organised to enable the Panel to meet with local residents/stakeholder, and could be facilitated by either a Panel Member or a member of the Community Engagement Team.

·         It was considered important to reach as many people as possible, and also to ensure that the outputs of the engagement were of value to the Panel.

RESOLVED

            That a questionnaire be devised and circulated to the Panel for comment.