Decision details

The Service Director, Democratic Services and Communication informed the Cabinet of the proposed ‘digital by default’ approach to resident engagement and consultation in respect of the 2021/22 budget.

The Service Director explained that as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic and challenged, it was proposed that the 2021/22 annual budget consultation would take on a ‘digital by default’ approach, whilst continuing to consider hard to reach groups, those having reduced or no access to the Internet and those who prefer to engage through traditional methods.

The Service Director explained that the approach was used in the recent consultation on the Dog Fouling PSPO and was found to be an effective way to engage with a wide range of residents and stakeholders.

The Deputy Leader stated that she would miss the face to face interaction with the public but was grateful that the Council had adapted to the current climate and the new virtual approach. The Deputy Leader emphasised the need to reach out to those without IT provision and was pleased to note that methods had been identified within the proposals.

When asked about the level of engagement with colleges, the Service Director confirmed that a specific virtual forum would be set up to engage with those young adults.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services voiced her support for the proposals and commented on the importance of engaging with the Youth Forum, who had put forward some interesting and innovative suggestions in previous discussions.

The Deputy Leader spoke of the Disability Forum and their valued contribution in previous consultations and the importance of ensuring the interaction is not lost.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services & Welsh Language was pleased to advise that the OPAG had met virtually since the lockdown and had become increasingly confident with meeting via ‘Zoom’.

The Leader spoke of the importance of Elected Members using their social media to sign post residents and the importance of adapting previous ways of consulting through community groups to enhance engagement.

(Note: With the agreement of the Chair, County Borough Councillor P. Jarman spoke on this item).

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To support the suggested ‘digital by default’ approach to the Council’s budget consultation for 2021/22, whilst providing alternative means of engagement for those having reduced or no access to the Internet and those who prefer to engage through traditional methods;

2.    To support the Council’s statutory requirements regarding consultation on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Council Tax levels will be met via the proposed approach;

3.    To support the budget consultation process taking place during the autumn of 2020, with the dates to be confirmed following clarification of the likely Welsh Government budget settlement timescales; and

4.    To authorise the Service Director – Democratic Services & Communications to plan the necessary timeline of engagement once the details of the Provisional Local Government Settlement are known, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member & Director of Finance & Digital Services.