Consultation

During the month of October 2005, we provided feedback to all the focus groups we had visited the previous year to discuss their initial feedback comments and to let them know how the Local Strategic Partnership have included these in the Community Plan 2006-2011.

LSP Consultation Feedback Report 2004/5

Consultation Process 2004

Vale Royal Community Forum, commissioned consultants to carry out research to determine residents opinion of life in Vale Royal. The results of this research will form the basis of the Community Plan (2006-2011).

The research provided Vale Royal Community Forum with a detailed understanding of the Community’s views of life in Vale Royal and what they felt could be done to improve their quality of life.

Research was carried out with Residents and Children and Young People living in Vale Royal to collect the following information:

Vale Royal Residents
Doorstep interview were undertaken with 729 vale royal residents during August/September 2004 to determine their priorities for the future.  Interviews were completed reflecting the age, gender and geographical location of Vale Royal residents.  The results formed the basis of a Billboard campaign throughout September/October 2004. For further information on the results of the consultation please see our LSP Consultation Report.

Children (7-10yrs) and Young People (11-18 yrs)
Focus groups were set up to determine the layout and content of two separate web-based questionnaires for both children and young people.  Promotion of the web based questionnaires included letters to all vale royal schools, partner organisations working with young people and a billboard campaign throughout September/October 2004.

Infant Schools (4-6 yrs)
Specific work was undertaken with infant school children aged 4-6 years to involve them in the Community Plan process.  “A Wish for Wilbur” was a short storyline for teachers to read to Key Stage One children, which encouraged them to think of some interesting ideas to help Wilbur and produce pictures showing their ideas.

Completed pictures were sorted into common themes for inclusion in this plan and a display of the children’s work was held at Winsford Library throughout November 2004.

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LSP Partner Survey
An independent consultant undertook telephone interviews with LSP partners during August/September 2004 to gain a detailed understanding of opinions and perception of Vale Royal LSP from partner perspective.

The survey comprised 36 in-depth telephone interviews undertaken with stakeholders of Vale Royal LSP during August-September 2004.  Each interview lasted approximately 15 minutes.

Most stakeholders had a positive opinion of Vale Royal LSP and are generally satisfied with the way the LSP operates and with the working relationship established.

The thematic board structure is positively regarded and is considered a clear and concise way of dividing the structure of the LSP.  The fact that there are only three individual boards is felt to help simplify the partnership and its roles and responsibilities.

Local Businesses
Consultation with local businesses was undertaken through the “Forging Links with business” event carried out in October 2004.

Older People
The second Over 50’s Information day was held in Northwich on 19 October 2004 and throughout the day a consultation exercise was held regarding future priorities for Vale Royal.

In addition, targeted surveys were undertaken with Vale Royal Voluntary Sector Forum and Cheshire Disability Federation.

Focus Groups

A number of potentially excluded groups included their views and priorities in this plan namely; people accessing mental health services, the travelling community, adults with learning disabilities and older people using respite care.

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Issues for the Future 2006-2011

Vale Royal Residents:

• Want Vale Royal to be a safer place where both crime and anti-social behaviour is reduced.

• Want communities that are recognised for their unique characteristics and encourage people to live, work and visit the Borough.

• Attach a high level of importance to a large number of service areas including street cleanliness, more support for older people and pollution reduction. All of these issues were recommended for inclusion in this plan as future targets.

• Gave a generally positive opinion to the improvement plans for tourism in the Borough, along with the promotion of local businesses and products, support to children and young people, environmental improvements, Community safety wardens, investment in town centres and improved housing conditions.

Children and Young People:

• Have a positive perception of Vale Royal, the majority (80%) claimed to like living in the area. 54% of young people also like living in Vale Royal.

• Research indicated that the areas they wanted attention and resources focussed on were:
• Facilities and activities for children and young people
• Safety and security
• Jobs and learning/training opportunities
• Appearance of Vale Royal
• Housing

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