RBWM Corporate Plan Consultation Video 2 of 2

In this second video in the series, Cllr. Da Costa will tell you how to complete and submit the plan and explains some of the problems with the consultation process and the presented consultation which will hopefully help you complete questions 9 and 11 of the consultation.

Remember to watch the first of the 2 videos, in which Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa explains why this is the MOST important consultation the Council has conducted in decades as it will affect every decision that the Council take in the future. Click here https://youtu.be/p9fdBZ-fp7A

Wisdom urged citizens to expand their vision for their future and make sure that it is included in the Council's Corporate Plan and, presents his vision for the Borough and its present and future citizens.

This is a deeper form of democracy in action.

Here are a few links for your use;
1. To download a Word copy of the Consultation Form https://tinyurl.com/3wkzjwjr
2. To download a PDF copy of the Consultation Form https://tinyurl.com/ptdx9xbp
3. To access the online Consultation https://rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/rbwm-corporate-plan-consultation
4. To email your comments on the consultation comunications@rbwm.gov.uk
5. To download a full copy of my responseshttps://tinyurl.com/3t6v8deu

Here are my thoughts on Q7 & 9
Q7 The aims and objectives do not include many key issues that are facing our Borough and world.
To me, the headline commitment should be along the lines of, "To build a green borough of equal opportunities with a thriving economy where people are listened to."
Q9 A fundamental problem with these objectives is that they are framed from a politically biased position in that this is right-wing and capitalistic. They should be politically and economically neutral and use politically agnostic language.

Here's an outline of my comments in relation to the process in Q11
1. Residents should have been led gently and educated and consulted with at length in a clear process that included information days, a roadshow, face-to-face consultations and, included publications sent to residents at different stages of the process
2. The truncated and narrow process doesn’t convey the importance of the plan or the way it will be used.
3. Seems somewhat lacking compared to other Local Authorities such as Bristol, Croydon, Hounslow, Reading, to name but a few
4. Doesn’t set out the problems that RBWM and its groups of residents are facing, or set out our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats.
5. Doesn’t seek to deal with the problems we have today or build on our strengths and opportunities.
6. Devoid of evidence and information in help you come to a balanced decision, rather is channels you to agree with without information.
7. No reference to how the Borough will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic
8. No granular demographic data on the different communities that form the Borough
9. No reference to supporting deprived communities within the Borough
10. Lacking options for alternative visions
11. Does not address many issues such as Climate Change, Climate Resilience, Biodiversity extinction, Plastic Pollution, inequalities
12. The consultation is framed with leading questions and little option to comment “off-piste”
13. Didn’t include a truly accessible process including roadshows and easy to assimilate and pictorial information.
14. It is confusing and also misleading.
15. Excluded many residents from the process by emphasising an online process through a specific portal.
16. Was conducted during the pressured school holidays when parents were not around and had the return to school and covid and financial issues to deal with
Here’s my vision as outlined in video 1 which applied to Q13
To build a green borough of equal opportunities with a thriving economy where people are listened to with the following key objectives;
• Green borough
• Carbon neutral by 2030 including creation of carbon sinks and the stimulation of a green economy where we create climate change solutions
• Restoration of biodiversity locally by creating large amounts of habitat
• Avoidance of plastic use and microplastic pollution leading to cleaner watercourses
• Improved air quality
• Development of equality of opportunity and outcomes
• Best in class broadband and mobile and IT infrastructure, easier working from home, improved opportunities
• Good quality housing and infrastructure where we can thrive despite the changing climate ahead of us in the UK including 40C-50C heat peaks, intense rain, and flooding, periods of high snowfall and profound cold

Q14 You must report back to residents showing then the detailed results and analysis of the consultation. To use the words of the LGA Peer review which heavily criticised RBWM's approach to democracy, you must "Pause. Embed. Explain".
Please do so and, explain the process in detail to residents and let them guide the setting of objectives.

Good luck.

Видео RBWM Corporate Plan Consultation Video 2 of 2 канала Cllr. Wisdom Da Costa