Citizen's Panel - Glo'shire County Council

[Joe K]

This is the email exchange between me and Raines Williams, regarding something which will hopefully become a reality before too much longer (read from the bottom):

Hi Raines,

What where your thoughts on the comments and suggestions I made nine months ago (see below), which related to what you have been reviewing?

The first link doesn't work anymore, as the Gloucestershire Assembly/Gavca closed the site down, and haven't really done anything with www.gloshub.org.uk/, either.

Cheers, Joe


In a message dated 26/11/2012 15:09:02 GMT Standard Time, [e-mail] writes:
Hi Joe



Over the past 9 months we have been reviewing our overall approach to consultation and engagement. Our first priority has been ensuring that we are as effective as possible at engaging seldom heard groups. The next phase involves looking at how we can evolve a number of existing processes and systems to provide greater insight into the views and needs of our customers.



Like I say, I will keep you posted when there is more to update.



Thanks



Raines



From: [e-mail] [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: 26 November 2012 14:58
To: WILLIAMS, Raines
Subject: Re: FW: Citizens panel



Hi,



After more than nine months?



Cheer, Joe





In a message dated 26/11/2012 14:55:53 GMT Standard Time, [e-mail] writes:

Hi Joe



This is still under review but I will keep you posted when there is more to update.



Many thanks



Raines



From: [e-mail] [mailto:[e-mail]]
Sent: 26 November 2012 14:54
To: WILLIAMS, Raines; [e-mail]
Subject: Fwd: FW: Citizens panel



Forwarded as I've been waiting some time for a reply. How goes the panel?



Cheers, Joe Kilker




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Sent: 17/02/2012 13:58:15 GMT Standard Time
Subj: Re: FW: Citizens panel



Hi Raines,



Happy to offer suggestions, but in order to do so, I would need to know what the previous set-up was, and whether the engagement difficulties were to do with a lack of interest, or too much of it. Sometimes it can be both, with 'panelists' feeling that their contributions are dismissed until they just stop bothering.



There are of course plenty of options for new technology, but again, it really depends on how much you, that is, the council, are prepared to hear things you may not want to. No news is generally regarded as good news by councils, and internet forums can be a hotbed for malcontents. It doesn't have to be so, but it can be hard to strike a balance.



Here are two sites which may spark some thoughts:



www.glosvcsmarketplace.spruz.com/forums/?page=t&fid=FCE9A79C-778B-4C0E-9221-C9F007318686



www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126707520327#!/group.php?gid=26484075697 (Tredworth FB page, may need to be signed on to Facebook)





Cheers, Joe





In a message dated 15/02/2012 17:46:52 GMT Standard Time, [e-mail] writes:

Hi Joe

Apologies for the delay in replying to you.

We are currently in the process of reconsidering how we go about having a citizen’s panel. This is because we were starting to find that fewer and fewer people were engaging with it in the old format and so it was not really representative of the local population. We are considering how we can make better use of new technologies and social media in order to reinvigorate it.



I hope this helps – if you have any suggestions about how we can invigorate the panel, please do not hesitate to let me know.



Many thanks



Raines Williams

Consultation Manager
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG