The Highland Council has this week written to a random sample of 14,000 Highland households, with the aim of securing agreement from 2,300 volunteers to serve on a Citizens' Panel. The Panel will be used on an ongoing basis by the Council as one method of consultation with the public.
Citizens' Panels are made up of a representative sample of residents from the local population who have agreed to participate in consultation activity. Panel members are asked to complete postal, on-line or telephone surveys on an ongoing basis over a few years. It will replace the current practice of surveying 11,000 households each year which usually provides around 1700 responses. By surveying a smaller number of people already agreeing to take part and by using other methods that panel members may prefer such as e-mail, consultation costs will be reduced and more than one survey can be conducted each year. The University of the Highlands and Islands' Centre for Remote and Rural Studies is advising on the panel composition and will undertake independent analysis of survey results. 24 other local Councils in Scotland already use Citizens' Panels. Some also draw on support from academic centres.
In a letter to residents, Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive, said: "The Council is looking for new ways in which to consult and engage with the public who use our services. It is important for us to find out what residents think about Council services and that communities take part in shaping services for the future. A key survey result from last year was that residents told us they wanted more of a say in how the Council spends its money.
"By agreeing to participate in the Panel, volunteers are committing to responding to two or three surveys per year. The topics consulted upon will be varied, reflecting the nature of services the Council provides and could include education, care for the elderly and roads. We plan to consult on budget proposals as well. Some surveys may be short with only a few questions, others may be longer requiring up to 30 minutes to complete."
The Council has to identify further savings of £36 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and is eager to involve the public before decisions are made.
The panel will not be the only mechanism that is used to consult on the budget. The Council also intends use ward forums, trade unions, young people via Highland Youth Voice and other community and voluntary groups.