Agenda and minutes

None.

Agreed as an accurate record.

To confirm the items of business marked Part I will be considered in public and that the items marked Part II will be considered in private.

It was agreed that all items of business were considered in public.

 The Head of Policy informed Members that the draft communication strategy for Hillingdon would build on the communications strategy of ONS. Hillingdon would communicate the Census through a variety of ways such as through Hillingdon People, the public website and its Street Champions. 

The publicity would begin with an article in Hillingdon People in January; internal briefings would be given to staff as a number of staff were residents of the Borough. In addition there would be displays in libraries and the Council would also give consideration to the use of social network sites, such as Facebook. The Council’s many public notice boards would be used and work would take place with ONS in relation to the provision of posters in different languages to reflect the ethnic diversity of the Borough.

Members were provided with details of the London Borough of Hounslow’s draft communication strategy which was a comprehensive document. Members asked that officers give consideration to some of the areas which this strategy covered. It was agreed that Hillingdon’s draft communication strategy be made available for Members. 

Lambeth Census Focus Group

At the last meeting of the Committee, Members asked that measures which this focus group had suggested which would improve participation rates be provided for the review. These measures included:

·        Early implementation of a Census awareness raising campaign

·        A clear explanation of what the Census was, what it was used for and why it was important for residents to participate

·        Localise the message, help people to see it as important to the Borough, rather than a national initiative

·        Focus the message around the increased funding the Council would receive from central government and the positive impact this would have on service delivery

·        Include case studies of potential improved service delivery which were relevant to ‘hard to count’ groups

·        Emphasise that the money would be spent on better quality services to combat cynicism about Council ineptitude

·        Publicise the translation sheet at the back of the Census questionnaire envelope and inform people that they could phone a free helpline number or download an information pack in their language

·        Give an explanation that the Census questionnaire would only be addressed to the occupier but that it was still an important document

·        The targeting of places of worship through engaging with priests and pastors etc

·        Targeting foreign newspapers. For example in relation to Polish newspapers; Panorama, Cooltura, Polish Express and websites

·        Reference was made to the Census in Poland which was known as Spis Ludnosci. This or other foreign equivalents to the Census could be used in publicity

·        Information posters and leaflets about the Census could be left in nurseries, schools, churches, pubs etc. Also in shops selling foreign cuisine

·        Attendance at tenants association meetings to explain the importance of the Census, engaging with prominent figures on estates to explain and encourage their tenants to complete the Census form

·        The running of Census sessions in schools to explain to children the importance of the Census and to encourage them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

In relation to this Committee’s review into the impact of a Pandemic, Members asked that further details be provided on details of the skills and knowledge audit which Strategic HR had carried out.

Resolved –

1.  That the information contained in the report be noted and Strategic HR be asked to provide further information on the skills and knowledge audit which took place as a result of the Pandemic review.

The report was amended to reflect the additional meeting which would be taking place in December.

Reference was made to the item on the Security Contract which was on the Forward Plan for Cabinet on 20 January 2010 and Members asked that the Committee be provided with a briefing on this.

The report was noted.