During GoCollaborate's recent webinar, which you can read more on and watch the video playback here, there were a number of questions. We are pleased to show these below together with our answers. Where questions cover the same area these have been joined. We hope this is of value to both those who joined the webinar and others in the industry.

GoCollaborate is here to support meaningful community engagement. Contact us today to explore how our platform and expert guidance can transform your consultations.

Neil Kirkland

CEO – GoCollaborate Limited

neil@gocollaborate.co.uk

07514 810 983

‍www.gocollaborate.co.uk

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❓Q&A

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1) How do you choose housing sites thereby being accused of favouritism, when all landowners wish to build houses?

We would suggest this is a question for a RTPI Planning Consultant. Details of consultants who may be able to assist can be found here.

https://www.rtpiconsultants.co.uk/#/

2) Are funds available for Neighbourhood Plan Reviews?

The Government's announcement of the revisions to the planning system (30th July 2024) included a commitment to go forward with the Levelling- up and Regeneration Act (LURA) from the summer or autumn 2025. Our read on this is that it effectively ensures the future of NDPs. Given this announcement we would expect that the current arrangements for the funding of Neighbourhood Plans and reviews will continue and details of these can be found here. https://neighbourhoodplanning.org/about/grant-funding/

Together with our retained RTPI Planning Consultant, GoCollaborate are positioned to assist you in any review required and we would be delighted to discuss what you are currently looking at.

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3) Can you expand on the virtual town hall, please?

A virtual town hall meeting is a digital version of a traditional town hall forum that allows stakeholders for example residents to exchange information, ideas, and feedback in a virtual space. These meetings can be fully virtual, with all participants joining on their own devices, or hybrid, with some people attending live and others participating remotely.

As part of the GoCollaborate service we work with clients to consider all the options for maximising community reach and engagement.

4) Is funding likely to be available next financial year?

The Government's announcement of the revisions to the planning system (30th July 2024) included a commitment to go forward with the Levelling- up and Regeneration Act (LURA) from the summer or autumn 2025. Our read on this is that it effectively ensures the future of NDPs. Given this announcement we would expect that the current arrangements for the funding of Neighbourhood Plans and reviews will continue and details of these can be found here. https://neighbourhoodplanning.org/about/grant-funding/

5) I would like more info on additional funding and what it would be available for.

The main opportunities for funding would include:

• Apply for Heritage Lottery funding starting from £10,000
• Apply for Big Lottery funding up to £20,000 or more for longer term projects
• Apply for Arts Council funding
• Apply for one of the Sport England funds
• The Woodland Trust is offering free trees for schools and communities
• Apply for Government funding for trees, woodlands and forestry, to save community assets, green heat networks etc
• Apply for Music for All funding

The picture on this is however changing all the time so we would suggest you make use of internet search functionality to keep appraised of the latest possibilities.

6) If we want consultations with residents - is there a template with questions to use?

There are no standard templates that we are aware of. Each questionnaire is different reflecting as they do the differing needs and circumstances of individual towns, parishes and communities. GoCollaborate have significant experience in working with towns and parishes and planning consultants on producing questionnaires and we would be delighted to explore your needs with you.

7) We have a larger proportion of older residents who are not online so have a notice board, put posters in community venues, and do some door-to-door but still cant reach a lot of people. Any tips?

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GoCollaborate have worked with a number of parishes similar to yours and we would suggest:

·        Start with a clear strategy and in-depth stakeholder analysis.

·        Use a multi-channel approach that combines online and offline methods.

·        Assemble a skilled working group with diverse expertise.

·        Partner with local leaders and community groups.

·        Utilise the latest technology, including social media and online consultation platforms.

·        Maintain momentum with regular updates and active leadership.

·        Monitor progress and use data to adapt your approach.

A number of our clients have also used prize draws to encourage people to do the surveys online and some have also provided telephone or F2F help support at specific times of the week.

With that said we do think that technology and social media are increasingly transforming the way that communities are engaged and we would encourage you to think 'digital first' given the direction of travel. This would include launching the online engagement first with paper surveys only being made available at a later date.

The best online platforms will allow paper survey responses to be added thereby enabling all the data to be secured and reported from one place. Where this is not the case it is imperative that parishes have comprehensive processes to ensure (1) paper responses are properly secured taking into account GDPR requirements, and (2) all responses are brought together accurately for analysis and reporting.

8) What changes do you expect as a result of the new Government?

The Government's announcement of the revisions to the planning system (30th July 2024) included a commitment to go forward with the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act (LURA) from the summer or autumn 2025. Our read on this is that it effectively ensures the future of NDPs. Ahead of more details being provided we would expect that the current arrangements for the funding of Neighbourhood Plans and reviews will continue and details of these can be found here. https://neighbourhoodplanning.org/about/grant-funding/

9) If you undertake face-to-face 'consultation' how do you quantify and qualify the information gained as evidence?

This is one of the bigger difficulties faced by doing F2F events. We would suggest that the events should be used to point attendees through the use of QR codes to an online platform. The best platforms are easy to use and clearly can be accessed and completed at time of choosing of residents. The platforms also see all the required information being presented consistently and clearly.

Most people in our experience can see the immense logistical difficulties of towns and parishes relying solely on F2F events and paper surveys and how these can compromise what is trying to be achieved. Flowing from these lots are more than happy to try to engage online especially if they know there is support available. Clients also use Prize draws and telephone helplines to maximise the online responses with F2F being used to launch consultations and paper surveys being utilised as a fallback.

10) What are the average costs of using the platform Go Collaborate, please?

This very much depends on what is required but for single consultations prices are likely to start around £1,250 with a package of 3 starting from £3,250. It should be noted that unlike some platform providers, the GoCollaborate offer includes comprehensive support to clients in both the design, build and deployment of the platform and in engagement planning and delivery.