Agenda item

Following on from the recent discussion at Bath City Forum, Cllr

Paul Myers is returning to continue the discussion on the further work is to take place around B&NES Consultations and Community Engagement.

The forum members are asked for individual examples of what has worked well and what does not work so well.

Cllr Myers will request two representatives from the Bath Forum to join the working party that will comprise of representation from all of the B&NES forums.

In his opening remarks, Councillor Paul Myers informed the Forum that following their July meeting he had received a high-calibre piece of work on this subject from a group of residents convened by former Bath City Forum member, Virginia Williamson, and requested that his thanks were passed on to these residents.

Councillor Paul Myers explained that he was returning to the Bath City Forum to follow up on the recent discussion which had taken place with forum members on consultation methods and process. The points that have been raised previously have been taken on board and we are now ready to take the work forward.

Councillor Paul Myers presented a framework diagram which showed the number of parties that are involved in with the complexities of the consultation process. 

In the next stage of this work, it is important that all of the area forums in B&NES are part of this discussion. The proposal is that each forum puts forward two representatives that will meet for a one off workshop, and will explore and deliver some outcomes that can improve how we work. Paul added that he hopes to bring in Council Officers to the workshop who will be able to contribute openly and constructively to the outputs.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked; how do we expect to overcome the complexity of the framework issues? How will we ensure the time which is allocated to consultations is correct and how will we know we are setting the correct questions with consultations.

Jeremy Boss felt that the shape of these ideas looks good, and that they demonstrate that the Council are listening. It has often been commented by some that consultations are a ‘stich-up’ so by delivering a better standard of information and making soft changes to dealing with the processes can only be a good thing.

Councillor Colin Blackburn felt that this offer is a mechanism that will allow forum representatives to put forward their concerns around the consultation process. There does need to be a roadmap that sets out what should be expected by all of those involved in the process.

Welcoming Cllr. Myers recognition of the complexity of community engagement and consultation and that solutions are best developed collaboratively, Nicolette Boater welcomed Cllr. Myers recognition of the complexity of community engagement and consultation and that solutions are best developed collaboratively, Nicolette Boater highlighted the need for consultative processes and practices that better enable effective two-way communication, facilitate ongoing participation and build trust.

Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall explained that consolation is part of the democratic process, which does however cost money when you carry this out properly. We are presently living through times where budgets are being cut and services are being reduced. There are consultations that take in the views from the Parish Councils in North East Somerset but when it comes to Bath, if the Bath City Forum does not step in to make comments there is a void in the feedback that is obtained for B&NES overall. There has to be inclusivity that also take in the 25,000 students that live within Bath, as well as residents who are only marginally represented through feedback of limited resident associations.

Roger Driver commented that it is difficult in public debate to establish common ground and where the facts lay, it can also be easy to miss why and where the opposition comes from. Difficult choices do have to be made and feedback into the process is important, this is why transparency and honesty need to be present when the decisions are being made.

Robin Kerr commented that a cultural problem exists; FOBRA will read the consultation papers and will seldom see the comments that are being fed in being accepted. Success is often measured by if the comments which are made are accepted. Officer’s needs to be better equipped in dealing with questions that are asked of them around the consultations. Baths interest is at the heart of the feedback that is submitted, there now has to be progression made beyond the tick box exercises of the past.

Councillor Peter Turner felt that there are checks and balances that sees decisions being made without consultation, where we have these bigger decisions, then yes we have to make sure we get these right. 

Councillor Paul Myers added that there is an importance around explaining the decision making process and how this fit with ‘your idea’ being perceived as a winner or loser. This may contribute to why we see no response from youth to some of our consultations.

Councillor Joe Rayment asked that people recognise that consultations are not referendums. Joe added that he often sees students going through the Student Union bodies to make representations rather than approaching their Ward Councillors.

Paul Roles explained that many of the population or ‘the average person in the street’ will not have a great understanding of how consultations work, it could be said that many don’t care either as they see it difficult to follow up on their initial input.

Councillor Dine Romero explained that there are a number of people that do not find completing online consultations easy. There has to be alternative methods that complement the web based option.

Four volunteers offered to act as the Bath representatives for the Working Group that Councillor Paul Myers will be running. These are Nicolette Boater; Paul Roles; Enya Jane Battersby and Roger Driver.

Nicolette Boater felt that there needs to be a higher level of Bath City Forum representation at the workshop” as the city is unparished, accounts for around half of B&NES population, has a greater diversity of interests in its community and has particularly controversial and complex decisions on which to consult.

Councillor Dine Romero proposed a vote on Bath having four representatives to attend the consultation workshop; this was seconded by Councillor Rob Appleyard. All forum members voted in favour of this proposal.

Councillor Paul Myers agreed to four people attending the consultation workshop and thanked everybody for their contributions.