Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive enclosed.

Decision made

1.    That the Consultation Framework in Appendix A be approved.

2.    That a “Consultation Checklist” be developed complementary to the list produced as part of the Community Involvement Review.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform) presented a report of the Deputy Chief Executive presenting the consultation framework for approval.

A member of the public asked a question in relation to the equality monitoring questions, querying the need for such personal information to be gathered. The Leader strongly disagreed, arguing that the information supplied is optional and the data assists the Council in improving its services to residents.

Decision made

1.    That the Consultation Framework in Appendix A be approved;

2.    That a “Consultation Checklist” be developed complementary to the list produced as part of the Community Involvement Review.

Reasons for decision

The Consultation Framework set out how South Ribble Borough Council undertakes consultations.

Without a framework, consultations may not be consistently planned and undertaken in the proper way across the council. This can lead to poor consultations and consequently poor decision making. This framework is a shared approach across Chorley and South Ribble Councils which will provide a consistent approach for staff to work too.

Consultation is also a way for communities, residents and businesses to engage with the Council and shape their local area. Without a framework key features that promote inclusivity and accessibility may not be routinely applied, inadvertently leaving some voices unheard.

The framework provides officers across South Ribble Borough Council with the guidance and tools to undertake high quality consultations as and when needed.

Alternative options considered and rejected

To not have a framework. As shared services continues to develop consultations could continue to be undertaken unilaterally by services, however the quality may be inconsistent. Further to this, different processes across shared teams could lead to confusion or misapplication, whereas a single shared framework will provide consistency.