I’ve mentioned previously it’s essential we and other councils improve our relationship with citizens. Our reputation depends upon it and the way we engage the public and build trust is central to this.
In my experience our public consultation and engagement is generally good, albeit inconsistent. This is unfortunate because it’s only the examples where it goes wrong which attract attention and headlines.
There are legal duties we must observe and failure to consult effectively is a primary reason for challenges against councils being upheld in the courts. That’s why we have to be clear about the principles and processes for effective consultation.
CMT this week endorsed our draft Consultation and Engagement Strategy prior to seeking formal approval from councillors. It’s based on best practice including the National Principles for Public Engagement in Wales and the National Children and Young People’s Participation Standards for Wales.
The core principles are:
Planning:
- Be clear about why we are undertaking a consultation and engagement activity
- Ensure that existing consultation and engagement results are used where applicable
- Have a clear idea of who needs to take part
- Identify appropriate resources
- Ensure sufficient time is allocated for the consultation process
- Identify opportunities for joint working at the planning stage
Doing:
- Be clear about how people can be involved
- Ensure the consultation and engagement methods and language used are suitable for the Audience
- Provide clear information about what we are consulting on
- Be clear about what the results will be used for
- Ensure all affected stakeholders have the opportunity to be involved
Decision Making, Review and Feedback:
- Ensure results of consultation and engagement activity are considered when making decisions
- Share the results (where appropriate) with as wide an audience as possible
- Effectively feedback the outcome to participants e.g. summary of results
- Promote the outcomes of our key consultation and engagement activity both internally and externally
I know that for many of you these will be self-evident principles but if we can observe them consistently I’m confident that our good relationship with citizens will continue to improve.
Purse strings
As you know, we’re facing very difficult budget decisions again this year due to the anticipated Welsh Government funding settlement, on-going service pressures and new demands. We’re also facing a significant over-spend this year and we need to take action in order to reduce spending. So this is a reminder that the steps we announced earlier this year are still in place and remain so until further notice.
These include strict vacancy management and continuing to implement the agreed list of spending restrictions.
And it also includes areas of non-essential spending which require approval from the relevant senior officer. These are:
- ICT hardware and software – Jo Harley.
- Furniture – Geoff Bacon.
- Advertising and bulk printing (non MFD) – Lee Wenham
- Publicity/promotions – Lee Wenham
As we set out on another budget process with Cabinet in the coming weeks, it’s essential we all support these measures on an on-going basis to help reduce our spending.
Still pushing for the Lagoon
Many of you will recall the significant interest in the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the Love the Lagoon campaign. I’m pleased to say we’re still progressing the project and have recently met with Welsh Government to try to move towards the formal procurement stage. This follows on from a soft market testing with potential delivery partners which reaffirms the previous finding of the Hendry Review and the subsequent feasibility study.
There’s still some way to go but we’re optimistic this project can be delivered and be a real asset for the Swansea Bay region and also contribute towards our commitment to tackle climate change emergency in line with the recent Council Notice of Motion.
Thank you
The many volunteers who run our 38 community centres have been invited to the South Penlan Community Centre this afternoon so we can show our appreciation for their time and effort. Some have been volunteering for more than 50 years. Best wishes to all involved in the presentations.
Swansea City
I don’t often mention football in my blogs but some of you will know I’m a keen supporter of the Swans so the fact they’ve made their best start to a league campaign in 41 years must be putting a smile on the faces of those in the Council who follow them. Let’s hope it continues.
Swansea City…. ‘The best start in 41 years’ despite tough fiscal restraints and the bitter pill of financial reality. I believe, optimism, leadership and a vision of success can go a long way in any organisation, regardless of size.
ComeOn The Swans!
I am not sure this is the right forum to raise this, however I have just come back from a few days leave to find changes to the parking system at the Guildhall. Perhaps I am missing something but I cannot fathom how the LA can justify charging staff for a parking permit and then reducing the time limit to maximum of 4 hours and no return for 2 hours. I appreciate parking is a major problem but would really appreciate your explanation of how senior management believe this to be a fair decision.
To my mind it demonstrates a lack of valuing your greatest asset – your staff, it is clearly a less productive way of working when staff have to leave the office to move their cars and hunt for parking spaces. I have observed my colleagues who like myself are essential car users required to have a car to do our jobs – staff who already have difficult and stressful jobs, becoming stressed about getting a parking ticket. (This is not about enforcement officers!! who have tough enough job) but surely this policy is plain wrong. What leeway will there be for staff in important meetings, phone calls etc. are you asking staff to walk out of those meetings or simply pay fines to their employers? I have chosen to pay to buy a parking permit to ensure that I can park. Not everyone is blessed with good health and the ability to walk to and from the “Rec”How is it justifiable that you have changed the conditions of that permit/ contract and with no consultation? I would really value your comments and those of my colleagues.
Hi Frances, thanks for your comments. As you know, we’ve been reviewing our parking arrangements at the Guildhall to improve the security of the building and to free up parking spaces for visitors and staff permit holders.
In recent weeks I’ve had quite a bit of feedback from staff so I’m aware the changes have caused some concerns. I’ll ask the relevant Head of Service to keep the situation under review.
Although these spaces in the rotunda have always had time restrictions of 4 hours parking, the new traffic orders mean that the restrictions are now enforced by our civil parking enforcement officers. It’s meant to ensure that vehicles are not left in the rotunda car park all day, so staff and visitors who require access can find a space more easily.
G permit holders can also park at North Road, Bath car park and the Recreation ground where there is no time restriction.
Given the feedback so far, we’ll monitor the situation and make further changes if needed.
Best wishes,
Phil
Dear Phil,
Thank you. Vonunteers.
I wonder whether all the volunteers who pick up the rubbish in Brynmill and Uplands day after day could be mentioned here and be invited.
We clear the streets for the HMO landlords, we clear KFC, Tesco and all the other fast-food outlets rubbish away that land on the pavements and in our gardens. We do this every day, 52 weeks a year. We are the rubbish bins that the Local Authority should be providing and is not.
I am still waiting for somebody to say thank you to me.
I have also noted that you are asking for the name and email address at the end of this document but I have never had any comment back. How sad is this.
Gerti Axtmann
Dear Gerti,
Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, the event mentioned in my blog was specifically for those volunteers who run our 38 community centres, rather than for volunteers in other areas. I really appreciate what you and your group do in the community. I will see if the council can do anything to assist you.
Best wishes,
Phil