1.  That the consultation timetable and programme, as set out below, be agreed:

i)  A 12 week consultation programme with the theme – My Council, What Matters to Me.  The programme will raise awareness of the budget situation over the next three years, the statutory services the Council provides and the savings options already considered by Cabinet Members.  The final phase of engagement activities will encourage consultees to indicate the non-statutory services which are most important to them and comment on the service options considered by Cabinet Members.  A suggested timetable is set out below.

ii)  August 2010 – General awareness raising including stakeholder communications, the local media, Borough Update, and staff communications.

iii)  Week commencing 6 September – launch event with first engagement activity supported by news releases, website, Facebook and Twitter posts.  The Council has 800 followers on Twitter and 250 friends on Facebook.  These sites could be used to point people to the Leader’s Twitter site where he could engage with people about the issues facing the Council.

iv)  September – October – My Council, What Matters to Me roadshow activities at events and meetings including some of the following as agreed with the Leader of the Council:

The Local Strategic Partnership

Neighbourhood Forums

Cabinet Roadshows

Business Forum

Youth Forum

Older Persons Forum

Transport Users Group and

Individual Ward events

DECISION MADE:

1.  That the consultation timetable and programme, as set out below, be agreed:

i)  A 12 week consultation programme with the theme – My Council, What Matters to Me.  The programme will raise awareness of the budget situation over the next three years, the statutory services the Council provides and the savings options already considered by Cabinet Members.  The final phase of engagement activities will encourage consultees to indicate the non-statutory services which are most important to them and comment on the service options considered by Cabinet Members.  A suggested timetable is set out below.

ii)  August 2010 – General awareness raising including stakeholder communications, the local media, Borough Update, and staff communications.

iii)  Week commencing 6 September – Launch event with first engagement activity supported by news releases, website, Facebook and Twitter posts.  The Council has 800 followers on Twitter and 250 friends on Facebook.  These sites could be used to point people to the Leader’s Twitter site where he could engage with people about the issues facing the Council.

iv)  September – October – My Council, What Matters to Me roadshow activities at events and meetings including some of the following as agreed with the Leader of the Council:

The Local Strategic Partnership

Neighbourhood Forums

Cabinet Roadshows

Business Forum

Youth Forum

Older Persons Forum

Transport Users Group and

Individual Ward events