Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources.

The Strategic Directors for People and Communities and Place presented the report and responded to questions from Member in the following terms:

·         On reflection the market research was carried out by a professional company using representative samples including young people, but the online survey reached an older demographic which was interesting;

·         Whichever methodology was used in future the same EDI information requests would be made in order to build a data set around knowledge and insights;

·         Specific attempts were made to engage with young people with care experience through Devon County Council users’ groups but there had been no interest which would be reflected on, and other methodology would be considered;

·         All the information would be on the website;

·         This was early in the journey of objectivity about engagement with citizens as this was the second of this type of survey and knowledge and data would be built;

·         Professionals were used to advise but there was more still to do;

·         It would be up to Members how this was used in policy;

·         There would be consultation on the impact of not accepting cash payments and this would focus on those identified who might be most disadvantaged including taking information from research on digital exclusion and feedback would be provided to Members before a final decision was taken.

One Member felt that the summary page could misrepresent the data held within the report. They felt that 3 of the 5 areas there was a clear priority – People feeling safe in the city, cleaning streets and reducing litter and a well-run Council, however, this was not the same for People and Homes.  Furthermore, the online group put museums, theatre and art as a second choice, yet this showed lowest in the summary.

Another Member stated that they were assured that officers would bring proposals and that results of this type of surveys would inform ideas and strategies in future.