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Citizen Panels

Overview

Citizens' panels can measure whether people's views are changing over time. This can help to assess the impact of service developments. Hambleton District Council is committed to involving its residents in planning and decision making through a range of techniques, seeking its views on matters of local interest and engaging with communities so that any improvements made reflect the needs and desires of its residents.

How do they operate?

Citizens' panels involve a representative sample of the local population who have voluntarily agreed to take part in consultation activity. Participants are normally recruited by random sampling trying to make sure that panel membership is broadly representative of the population taking into account issues such as age, gender, ethnic origin and disability. Panel members are asked to complete up to four paper-based or e-mail type questionnaire surveys each year on a variety of topics and from time to time invited to take part in discussion groups, telephone surveys or workshops on particular issues they might be interested in. Newsletters are produced following a panel survey providing feedback and results. Each year, about one-third of the panel membership is refreshed to make sure as many people as possible have the chance to contribute.

Can I get involved?

Hambleton District Council do not currently have a Citizen Panel in place. However, there is a North Yorkshire countywide Citizen Panel Opens in a new window which includes a number of Hambleton residents. You can find details of historic panel topics together with newsletters and an online link explaining how to join the North Yorkshire Panel.

There are a number of other ways that you can get involved in your local community in Hambleton and make your voice heard:

• An online area to voice your opinion called 'Have Your Say' is a permanent feature on this website. Here you are encouraged to register your suggestions or feedback about any issues in your local community.
• An online poll with a monthly question is published around a current topical issue. This maybe a local or national issue but the topic is usually of popular interest gauging a snapshot of local opinion.
• Local community groups called 'Area Groups' have been set up to actively address local issues. They are centred on each of the five market towns and their surrounding villages.
• If you live around the Northallerton area there is a group called Northallerton and Villages Community Forum. The group comprises people from Northallerton and the surrounding area who meet to plan, deliver and influence proposals that will help improve the quality of life for people in the area.
• Forums covering other areas and specific interests are listed in the 'Open Forums' website area