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1 Feb 00

POOLE PEOPLE ASKED FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THEIR COUNCIL

Poole Council has embarked on a wide ranging programme of consultation to listen to views of local people. The topics for discussion will be the Council's draft performance plan which asks for feedback on ten priorities for improving services, the budget and likely council tax increase, and plans to modernise the way the Council makes decisions.

The consultation programme comprises:

· Five meetings at different venues hosted by people from the Council.

· MORI, the UK's leading market research company has been commissioned to survey 700 Poole residents and lead 4 consultation groups.

· An innovative Bulletin Board on the Council's website, www.poole.gov.uk where residents can log and discuss their ideas and comments on Council services 24 hours a day.

Performance Plan
The Council's Draft Performance Plan 'Your Poole, Our Commitment' suggests 10 priorities to improve services over the next year. These priorities were devised from previous consultation including the 1998 MORI Residents Survey and other regular community liaison work. The Plan has been sent to over 1,000 local businesses and community groups for their feedback. This will be used to finalise the Plan, copies of which will be delivered to all households in Poole.

Andrew Flockhart, Policy Director, Borough of Poole, said: 'We've been listening carefully to the views of Poole people and through our Performance Plan have developed ten priorities for improving our services over the next year. This consultation is our chance to ask local people for their views on whether we've got it right. Our consultation will be on-going and every year we'll be revising the Plan to make sure we keep in close contact with our residents'.

The Budget
Since 1997 when Poole became a unitary authority, Poole has had the lowest Council Tax in Dorset. Because of Poole's low budget settlement from the Government, it now looks likely that the increase in council tax for this year 2000/2001 will be in the region of 15%. On a Band D property, this would mean an increase in council tax of approximately £100 or about £2 per week. However, Poole's level of Council Tax is still likely to be at least the second lowest in Dorset.

On average, Poole receives £154 less per person from the Government than similar local authorities. This is because the Government considers Poole less deprived than other areas. To provide services to the standards wanted by local people, Poole's services need to be funded by local Council Tax payers.

David Williams, Policy Director, Borough of Poole, said: 'Compared to other authorities, we have received less money from the Government towards providing services for local residents. As a result, we have scrutinised every service we provide to look for savings. These savings will help to minimise the Council Tax increase needed to continue providing our services. However, the Council still faces very difficult choices about the level of our services. Consultation gives us the chance to hear the views of local people on what services they want and how they will be affected".

Modernising The Council's Structure
As part of the drive to modernise how decisions are made and involve local people, the Government has set each Council targets to streamline decision making processes.

Poole has 39 Councillors elected every four years by the people of Poole to make decisions on their behalf on local issues and services. Poole Council is looking at ways to streamline how these decisions are made, make it easier for local people to give their views on local issues and know who is making decisions on their behalf.

To achieve this, proposals include simplifying the Council's structure, improving communication and working to provide better information about who makes decisions and how they are scrutinised.

David Williams, Policy Director, Borough of Poole, said: 'Poole Council believes that residents should be able to participate in the decisions which affect them. By providing clear information and simplifying how decisions are made, it will be easier for local people to influence how choices which effect everyone in Poole will be made and know who is responsible for making them'.

Anyone who would like discuss any of these issues can take part in one of Poole's consultation meetings. These will take place on:

Wednesday 2 February, 3.00-5.00pm at St. Michael's Church Hall, Blandford Road, Hamworthy

Thursday 3 February, 5.30-7.30pm at St. Osmunds Church Hall, Florence Road, Parkstone

Monday 7 February, 1.00-3.00pm at Oakdale Residents and Community Centre, Wimborne Road, Oakdale

Thursday 10 February, 6.00-8.00pm at The Haynes Hall Community & Arts Centre, 21 Dunyeats Road, Broadstone

Saturday 12 February, 10.00am-3.00pm, at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, Poole Town Centre


-ends-

David Williams, Policy Director, Borough of Poole, tel: (01202) 633202