Consultation hub

In order to understand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on engagement activities within the adult health and care environment in Surrey, Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands Clinical Commissioning Group asked key stakeholders to complete an online survey which took place between 1 and 19 June 2020.

We hoped to gain some insight into what new methods of engagement have been utilised, what have been the most effective and how organisations might do things differently in the future.

The unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic and a lockdown situation has catapulted the use of technology and its adoption for communications and engagement activity and provided a lifeline for social contact for many residents who are shielding and/or isolated. 

Organisations large and small have had to learn new skills, acquire and install new technology and move to home working over many months. It is clear that when people find themselves in extraordinary situations such as recent events they can adapt pretty well and there are many examples of how new ways of working have opened up opportunities for organisations and residents. 

The survey feedback highlights many positive aspects to engaging remotely and using technology. One common theme is how new people have been engaged who were not known to services or engaging prior to the pandemic. There are repeated examples of the positive impact on individuals and reaching more residents, younger residents and people who use services. The appetite for trialling new technology has heightened significantly. 

We now need to harness this new energy and knowledge and apply it to our engagement functions in the future. The survey has found that virtual engagement has proven popular and effective and will play a key part for organisations in the coming months as we safely emerge from lockdown. At the same time, we are mindful that a significant minority of residents are ‘digitally excluded’ and we therefore need to be innovative in order to ensure they can make their views known. 

During this transition period Surrey County Council and the Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care System will continue to plan and implement critical engagement and consultation functions, taking on board the survey’s feedback.

As a system, we are focused on restoration and recovery following the Covid-19 crisis and on ensuring that we are positioned to respond efficiently and effectively to any future outbreaks, should they occur in Surrey. 

We shall engage and consult with residents using multiple channels and mechanisms but will need to explore how the most effective technology is available, usable and sustainable for our activities with local residents and stakeholders. 

We will aim to hold face to face meetings or events where it is appropriate and safe to do so, following the national guidance.

Do you agree with the proposal to expand Brooklands School from September 2020?

There were 15 responses following the publication of the Statutory Notices: 13 residents agreed with the proposal to expand the school and 2 respondants disagreed.

The majority of respondents acknowledged the benefit of expanding Brooklands School on the site at Alexander Road.

The main concern raised was about parking during drop off and collection periods and parking arrangements for the additional staff.

On 14 April  2020 Julie Iles, Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, approved the recommendation to expand Brooklands School on the site at Alexander Road from September 2020. Any relevant permanent planning application required for the expansion will be pursued and determined in accordance with relevant planning legislation.

Do you agree with the proposal to create a new school, amalgamating Christ Church C of E infant school and Englefield Green Infant School and Nurseries

• The majority of respondents do not agree with the proposal (63%)
•  32% of all responses were from parents of pupils currently at both schools
•  The majority of parents of pupils at Christ Church C of E Infant School disagree with the proposal (68%)
• The majority of parents of pupils at Englefield Green Infant School and Nurseries agree with the proposal (58%)　
• Some respondents commented on the new school being a church school with 29 in support of the idea and 40 against.
• Out of the 70 responses from parents of pupils at both the current schools only 21 made comments in relation to the religious designation of the new school, 16 were for the school being a Church of England school and 5 were against.

On 10 March 2020 Julie Iles, Cabinet Member for All-Age Learning, approved the recommendation to progress to statutory notices.

Statutory notices will be published from 11 March to 22 April 2020

The Leader of the Council will make a final decision on 12 May 2020