Issue - meetings

To approve the Partnership’s Engagement Pledge (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which sought approval of the Partnership’s Engagement Pledge.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance and Communications presented the report.

DECISION:

That the Engagement Pledge at Appendix A be approved.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing – do not adopt the Engagement Pledge.  This option was not recommended – it is good practice to have broad principles of engagement and consultation adopted across the Partnership.

Reasons for decision:

·       To ensure the Partnership has a clear and consistent approach in all engagement activities.)

To provide feedback on the draft Partnership’s Engagement Pledge prior to consideration at Cabinet (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate which sought feedback on the draft Partnership Engagement Pledge prior to consideration at Cabinet.

The Group Manager – Communications and Engagement introduced the report and outlined the following main points:

• The Engagement Pledge, detailed at Appendix A, had followed recommendations from the SHDC Peer Review in July 2023;
• Although the Peer Review had been specific to SHDC, a corporate approach to the recommendation had been taken across the whole partnership;
• The principles within the pledge had been utilised throughout a recently concluded ‘Levelling-Up’ project consultation; and
• The report had recently been presented for scrutiny at Boston Borough Council and was scheduled to be presented at East Lindsey District Council the following week.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members thanked the Group Manager – Communications and Engagement for a clear and concise report.

• Members queried the timelines for consultation and feedback;
  • The Group Manager – Communications and Engagement responded that:
    • The scheduling and duration of consultation and engagement activities were specific to each project and built into each project plan; for example, the timing of the recent Levelling-Up consultation had included the requirement to follow a pre-application Planning process; and
    • In general, the duration of a consultation/feedback period would be weeks rather than months.

AGREED:

That after consideration of the Partnership Engagement Pledge at Appendix A, the comments of the Panel be noted.