Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Consultation Charter.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which sought agreement to adopt a Consultation Charter and formalise the Council’s commitment to consultation and best practice, while ensuring that there were consistent arrangements in place. The Consultation Charter would also ensure that Exeter communities would have the chance to contribute to proposals for Council policies and decisions.

The Corporate Manager – Executive Support stated that, following report to Executive in February, the draft Consultation Charter had been considered by a Spotlight Review Working Group who had made a valuable input into the proposals with a number of helpful amendments agreed including clarification on the scope of consultations, confirming a minimum of six weeks for all consultations and supporting detailed consultation plan templates, which would accompany all consultations.

Responding to the Chair, the Corporate Manager – Executive Support confirmed that the results of all consultations could be amalgamated into a single document and included on the City Council website.

During the discussion the following points were made:-

·        welcome inclusion of accessibility issues within the Charter to ensure everybody had the opportunity to respond; and

·        given that Government requires consultations on many issues, should there be additional financial support be lobbied from Government for the consultations.

The Chief Executive & Growth Director highlighted the significant ongoing resource and financial pressures faced by the Council and the need to identify efficiency savings going forward. These pressures had a significant impact on the extent to which resources could be allocated to consultation exercises and other Council services.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Consultation Charter.