The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and Answers were noted.

DECISION

1.    To note the progress in delivering the actions set out in the Mayor’s Transparency Protocol (Appendix B to the report) and the actions agreed to in response to the Transparency Commission’s recommendations (Appendix C to the report).

2.    To approve the summary of key achievements on the Council’s transparency agenda (Appendix A to the report) and decide if and how this information should be publicised.

Action by:

CHIEF EXECUTIVE (W. TUCKLEY)

(Divisional Director, Strategy, Policy and Performance (S. Godman)

(Senior Strategy, Policy and Performance Officer (S. Begum)

The Mayor introduced the report. He highlighted how important improving transparency was to the Council and that both he and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had a key role in supporting this aim.

The Mayor noted the Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and the responses provided by officers, he agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.            To note the progress in delivering the actions set out in the Mayor’s Transparency Protocol (Appendix B to the report) and the actions agreed to in response to the Transparency Commission’s recommendations (Appendix C to the report).

2.            To approve the summary of key achievements on the Council’s transparency agenda (Appendix A to the report) and decide if and how this information should be publicised.

The Committee received and noted a report that provided an update on the progress made in implementing the actions set out in the Mayor’s Transparency Protocol and the recommendations arising from the Overview and Scrutiny Transparency Commission report.  It was noted that as the work around these two initiatives had naturally converged and the report provided a combined picture of the current position on the Council’s overall work to drive forward the vision of a more open, accountable and transparent organisation.

It was also noted that whilst transparency and accountability remain a matter of real interest and concern to local people, the Annual Residents Survey (ARS) 2017/18 results had shown that 79% of residents trust the Council ‘a great deal’ or ‘a fair amount’ - up 7 points on last year, and well above the trust rating for councils nationally (59%). 59% also had agreed that the Council is ‘open and transparent about its activities’ - up 7 points on last year. 72% are satisfied with the way the Council runs things - close to last year’s rating and a historical high – and 78% felt the Council was doing a good job - up 6 points over the year. Despite this, the Council recognised that there is still further work to do, and remains committed to becoming a more open and transparent organisation.

The questions and comments from Members on the report may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

• Commented that the available information on the web site needs to be fit for purpose and noted it was recognised that there is work to do on how the website can be navigated;
• Noted that regarding the Council welcomes petitions and recognises that they are one way in which people can let us know their concerns. The Council also accepts both paper and e-Petitions. Paper petitions are those prepared in the traditional way: a petition organiser creates a paper document that includes a proposed action;
• Noted regarding e-Petitions these are created, signed, and submitted entirely online. The petition organiser uses the Council’s website to create their petition and residents can then electronically add their name via the website to show their support of the action the petition organiser proposes;
• Commented that the petition process should be a symbol of an active community (i.e. a way of expressing an opinion for the public to put forward a view on an issue); and
• Commented that it wished to know about the use of alternate means to raise issues and including regular publications both digital and non-digital methods. Accordingly it was agreed that Andreas Christophorou; Divisional Director of Communications and Marketing should be invited to attend a future meeting to explain the Council’s Communications Strategy.

In conclusion, the Chair Moved and it was RESOLVED that the Committee would welcome the report and looked forward to receiving a presentation at a future meeting on the Council’s Communications Strategy.