A public consultation into the future of the three Area Committees in Southport, Bootle and Sefton Central started on 1st February 2016 and will run for 7 weeks, ending on 21st March 2016.
The aim of the consultation is to establish whether Area Committees are the most effective way of talking with members of the public for Council business.
Sefton is also looking to modernise the ways that it engages with members of the public and stakeholders to reflect the new digital society.
As part of the consultation the following areas will be considered:
- What is the current awareness of Area Committees and should they be retained as a way for members of the public to talk to the Council and Councillors
- Functions of the Area Committees
- What are the current and new avenues of communication for members of the public to engage with the Council and Councillors
- What are the barriers that people experience in engaging with the Council
- Any suggestions for improvement
The Council is always looking at the most effective ways for members of the public to talk to the Council and Councillors and through this process we want to positively look at optimising more modern ways of reaching our wider communities. The consultation will give all residents the opportunity to have their say on the future of the Area Committees.
All comments received will be included in a consultation report which will then form part of a Cabinet report on the future of Area Committees in Sefton.
A number of events are taking place across the borough which give everyone the opportunity to have their say. These are taking place at:
- March 7 – Southport Town Hall – 10am, 11am, 5pm or 6pm
- March 15 – Bootle Town Hall – 2pm, 3pm, 5pm or 6pm
- March 16 – Maghull Town Hall – 10am or 11am
- March 16 – Formby Gild Hall – 2pm or 3pm
- March 16 – St Luke’s Church, Crosby – 5.30pm or 6.30pm
You can register to attend one of the events by emailing yourseftonyoursay@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0151 934 4604. The deadline to register is March 3rd for the Southport event and March 11 for all other sessions.
If you are unable to attend one of the consultation sessions, you can make your comments in writing toyourseftonyoursay@sefton.gov.uk or you can post them to Area Committee Consultation, Strategic Support Team, 7thFloor, Merton House, Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 7UU. Alternatively an on-line response form is available for you to complete at https://www.engagespace.co.uk/sefton/default.aspx.
The following questions will be considered as part of the consultation sessions and you might find it useful to use them as the basis for your response:-
1. Are you aware of Area Committees?
2. If you have have you ever attended one or raised an issue?
3. Which Area Committee have you attended?
Southport
South Sefton
Central Sefton
4. Should the Council keep Area Committees as a way for members of the public to raise issues with and talk to the Council and Councillors?
5. What would be your preferred way of raising issues with and talking to the Council and Councillors if Area Committees did not exist?
6. What do you see as the key barriers to raising issues and talking to the Council and Councillors?
7. Do you have any other views or comments?
Please feel free to forward details of this consultation to anybody who you feel may wish to be involved.
