Consultation

Consultation and communication are vital to the effective and efficient delivery of customer-focused services and support to all communities in line with the council’s vision.

Consultation is carried out in order:

• to find out what you think
• to identify your priorities and concerns
• to meet our statutory obligations

We consult with communities and individuals using methods such as postal, phone and internet surveys, focus groups and workshops. We also utilise the Northumberland People’s Panel up to four times a year.

Results help us to understand what residents, service users and businesses think of the services we provide. They can help us understand our customers’ needs, and therefore are used when planning changes.

Details of consultations are generally located within the relevant service section of this website, and promoted through news stories and alerts.

The peoples' panel is a group of residents who have registered to be involved in consultation exercises with the council. As a member of the panel, you will be able to tell us your views and what you expect from local public services, such as fire and rescue, highways, accessing services and the council budget.

The views and feedback we receive from members of the people’s panel assist in planning and prioritising our services more effectively, and help to shape decisions made by the council and partner organisations.

Twice a year, panel members receive a survey via email requesting views on life in Northumberland and what they think about council services. Occasionally, members may be asked to take part in other consultations, such as focus groups, workshops, forums and one-off surveys, which are completely voluntary.

So that the panel is broadly representative of Northumberland as a whole, we ensure we have a broad range of people based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and geographical area. Sometimes it may not be possible to be included if you belong to an over-represented group (e.g. young people).

Members of the panel do not receive payment for participating, but will be reimbursed for any travel expenses if attending focus groups or forums. Each year, if panel members complete at least two surveys, they are entered into a prize draw to win items such as shopping vouchers, iPods or tablets.

The information you give us about yourself is only used for research and consultation purposes. The reports and results we create do not give out details about individual panel members, nor do we pass or sell on details to third parties.

We will give regular feedback on what we have found out, and action taken as a result, through newsletters and the council's website.

Every three years we refresh the panel, to give current members the opportunity to opt out and so that all residents have the opportunity to get involved. 

• If you are interested in becoming a member of the panel or want to know more, please contact us by email: peoplespanel@northumberland.gov.uk

If you would like to join the people’s panel, click on the box below to register your details

Register for the people’s panel

Northumberland County Council has conducted between two and three people’s panel surveys a year.

These surveys allow the council to gain valuable information on services and the economy and lifestyles of Northumberland residents. These results are then used to inform policy and service delivery within Northumberland.

• To view a comparator report, pulling together data from the past three years’ people’s panel surveys, click here (2010-2013)

In 2013, a survey was commissioned to gain residents’ opinions relating to their lifestyles and perceptions of Northumberland's economy. 

• 2013 - people's panel lifestyle survey results - full report
• 2012 - people's panel lifestyle survey results - full report

In  2013, a survey was commissioned to gain residents’ thoughts and experiences of access to services within Northumberland and to support the development of a superfast broadband bid to central government. 

• 2013 - people's panel access to services survey results - full report
• 2011 - people's panel access to services survey results - full report

Youth groups who are looking to make a difference in the county can consult with YPiN on a variety of issues and our role is to be the voice to help influence change. All organisations and policy makers must agree to the consultation process before any action can be taken.

• You can view the YPiN consultation process here. 

We always strive to represent all young people in Northumberland. If you have formed a social action group or are a youth group from Northumberland, please contact us to discuss how we can help make the changes you want to see.

• Contact Ben Sanderson, youth participation worker, on Ben.Sanderson@northumberland.gov.uk or call 01670 620320.

Below are some of the groups we work with in Northumberland:

• Splinter group are a group of young people with learning difficulties who support each other with regular meetings and contact.
• Looked-after children/Voices Making Choices is a participation group helping young people speak out.
• The youth service provide a wide range of exciting opportunities for young people.
• Hexham Youth Initiative is a youth project providing activities and opportunities to young people in Hexham.
• The youth cabinet is a group of young people, elected by young people, to be involved in the decision-making process across Northumberland.
• WOWI is a social and support group for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) youths based in Northumberland.
• The UK Youth Parliament is another elected group of young people who voice the young people of Northumberland’s opinions on a national level.
• The youth offending service works with young people to stop offending and prevent re-offending.
• The teenage pregnancy team has been accessed by some of our members through awareness-raising sessions.
• Positive Futures is supporting young people to involve themselves in a variety of new and exciting experiences.