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5 Apr 01JULES JOLLIFFE QUESTION TIME
The Borough of Poole is hosting a novel Question Time style public debate for the people of Poole next Monday. This exciting event is the latest stage in the Borough of Poole’s intriguing Jules Jolliffe campaign and is intended to give people a chance to find out more about the choices facing the way their Council is run.
Over the last few weeks, the Borough of Poole has blitzed the town with advertising asking ‘Who is Jules Jolliffe?’. Jules Jolliffe is a fictional character, representing the leading political figure of a future new management structure for the Council. Poole’s new answer to ‘Question Time’, is part of the campaign to give people greater understanding of the choices they are being asked to make.
Everyone is welcome to join the audience for the debate and to pose questions and comments to the expert panel, which will comprise:
· Cllr Brian Clements (Leader of the Council)
· Andy Martin (News Editor, Daily Echo)
· Simon Atkinson (MORI’s Local Government Team)
· Varya Shaw (Features Editor, Local Government Chronicle)
Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Council, said: "It would be great to see as many local people as possible joining us. This is another excellent way for people to explore the pros and cons for each option before they finally vote for their preference. I hope it will be both entertaining and informative for everyone involved."
People will have 2 opportunities to take part in the event, to be held at the Council offices in the Civic Centre on Monday 9 April. There will be a lunch time session between 12:30 and 2pm and a further evening one between 6:30 and 8pm.
Councillors and Officers will also be available to talk to residents at a series of roadshows later in the month, to be hosted at various venues around Poole.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
A programme for the day is attached.
Poole residents must choose one of three options for change in a special vote. Voting on the options begins over the next week, when residents will receive freepost voting cards through their doors. Alternatively residents can register their vote at one of the roadshows, using a new high-tech electronic vote counter. Voting ends on 27 April.
The three options for change are:
· Directly elected Mayor and Cabinet: Poole residents vote for a person (the Mayor) to be in charge of the way the Council is run. The Mayor then chooses a small group of people (a Cabinet) from among the Councillors, to help him or her lead the Council. Councillors continue to be elected by residents as they are now.
· Leader with Cabinet: The elected Councillors choose a Leader, from among themselves, who will be in charge of the way the Council is run. Either the Leader or the Councillors then choose a small group of councillors (a Cabinet), to help lead the Council. Poole residents continue to vote for local Councillors as they do now.
· Directly elected Mayor and Council Manager: Poole residents vote for a person (the Mayor) to be in charge of the way the Council is run. Councillors and the Mayor recruit a Council Manager (i.e. a paid professional who is not elected) to share the leadership of the Council with the Mayor. Residents continue to vote for local Councillors as they do now.
The Council’s current political management structure, the Poole pilot scheme, has been running since September and is based on the ‘Leader with Cabinet’ option. The pilot scheme was introduced to gain experience of the Government’s modernised way of working. This experience will help the Council when they consider the results of the public consultation and decide how to implement the future way the Council is run.
Dates and venues for Jules Jolliffe roadshows:
· Tuesday 17th April - Broadstone Library Car Park, Story Lane
· Wednesday 18th April - St John's Church (Ashley Road), Parkstone
· Thursday 19th April - Tesco Tower Park
· Friday 20th April - Dolphin Shopping Centre
· Saturday 21st April - Dolphin Shopping Centre
Catherine Corbin, Marketing Manager, Tel: (01202) 633774
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