News

5 May 01

New Opinion Panel for Poole

Over the next month, 1,600 local residents will be recruited to form the Council’s very first Poole Opinion Panel so that people can give their views on a variety of Council services and local issues.

The Panel is being formed by the Borough of Poole as a regular means of keeping in touch with residents and collecting their opinions. It will provide the opportunity for the whole Council to consult residents to ensure that it continues to provide the services people want and need, as well as improving the way those services are delivered.

Cllr Graham Wilson, Executive Spokesperson for Community Information, said: "This is a good way for the Council to listen to the views of local residents, and to use them to help shape the services the Council provides. The Panel will give us regular feedback from people of all ages and backgrounds, and will be representative of Poole people."

"The Poole Opinion Panel is just one way that the Borough will be collecting opinions from local people. Of course, they will still be able to voice their opinions with local Councillors, or by attending Area Committees and community lunches."

From 7 May, researchers from Bournemouth University will be visiting a number of key shopping locations throughout the Borough, inviting residents to join the Panel. Participants in the Council’s forthcoming Household Interview survey will also be invited to join.

Members of the Panel will participate in up to 4 surveys per year and they may also be invited to join in discussion groups. The Panel will be in place by the end of June, with the first quarterly Panel survey planned for July.

To ensure the views of the Panel remain truly representative, it will be completely refreshed in 2004 when the next Household Interview survey is conducted.

The local police have been informed of both the Household Interview Survey and the Poole Opinion Panel recruitment campaign throughout the town. All 11 researchers will wear an identity card with the Council’s Borough of Poole Dolphin logo and the Bournemouth University logo. They will also show a letter about the Poole Opinion Panel from the Borough of Poole. The Council advises residents to check the identification of any stranger calling at their door.

All information collected will be treated in the strictest confidence. The Borough of Poole adheres to the Data Protection Act.

Catherine Corbin, Marketing Manager, Tel (01202) 633774

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