Agenda item

Derbyn trosolwg o ddull y Cyngor o gynnal proses ymgynghori i drafod Cyllideb 2022/23.

The Corporate Policy & Consultation Manager presented the report on the proposed approach to resident engagement and consultation in respect of the 2022/23 budget setting process.

Members were reminded that in previous years the Council has undertaken a comprehensive approach to its annual budget consultation, involving a large number of residents and key stakeholders. The Service Director went on to inform Members that the current Covid-19 pandemic presents a unique set of circumstances for engagement and consultation. The Service Director added that in light of this, the 2022/23 annual budget consultation will include a number of digital methods, whilst continuing to consider hard to reach groups, those having reduced or no access to the internet and those who prefer to engage through more traditional methods.

The Corporate Policy & Consultation Manager also updated Members on the

different approaches that will take place to replace the usual face-to-face

engagement and noted the ‘Let’ss Talk’ Website and that engagement will also

take place with the following;

·       Older people via the Older Persons Advisory Group meeting

·        Young people via Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Youth Forums. (Instagram).

·       A presentation and discussion with young people via our schools/colleges.

·       Report and presentation to the Finance and Performance Scrutiny Committee and the School Budget Forum.

·       A presentation at the Community Liaison Committee

·       Disability forum engagement

·        Armed Forces and Veterans Groups engagement.

Further to the overview of the report, Members raised several questions.

Mr Fish, the Parent/Governor Representative, referred Members to section 5.5 of the report and the development of an online survey. Mr Fish noted his disappointment that despite several previous requests the Committee is not involved as consultees in the online survey. The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication acknowledged that this point is regularly raised, however, he emphasised that it is Cabinet’s responsibility to set the remit of the engagement strategy of the budget setting process. It was emphasised that the report is brought to the Scrutiny Committee to assure Members that the process is robust and effective. Mr Fish acknowledged the response, however, he noted that he is not content with the response as the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee has been given assurances in the past that they would e given the opportunity to be involved in the process and to have an input into the questions that are being asked.

Discussions continued and Councillor Thomas praised the approaches outlined in the report. The Service Director referenced the ‘Let’s Talk’ Website and noted that it is a much more flexible opportunity for residents to engage in the process and it has been found to be a much more effective way of receiving feedback from the public. The Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager advised Members that the survey is just one of the tools on there and that other tools on there are much more open and allow people to say what they want on various factors.

Councillor Rees-Owen raised a query in respect of the call centre and noted that residents get very frustrated when they are left in a long queue on the telephone. Councillor Rees-Owen queried if there was anything the Council could do to alleviate the situation. The Service Director acknowledged that this can be a challenge but stressed that he would speak to his colleagues to see if there was anything that could be done in terms of the options you select when you dial through.  

Discussions ensued and the Chair queried whether backbench Members of the Authority were allowed to take part in any face to face consultations. The Corporate Policy and Consultation Manager advised Members that they are road shows so they are open events and the Service Director advised that Members of the Authority have a wide range of opportunities available to them to engage in the budget setting process.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to:

1.     Support an online approach to the Council’s budget consultation for 2022/23, using the Councils new Let’s Talk Engagement website along with the re-introduction of some face-to-face events in the community;

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

3.     Support the budget consultation process taking place during the autumn of 2021, with the dates to be confirmed following clarification of the Welsh Government budget settlement timescales; and,

4.     Support 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.