The Knowsley Voice - are you being heard?
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The
Knowsley Voice is an opportunity for members of the local community to
have a real say in what goes on in the Borough. Knowsley Council, Merseyside
Police and the local health authority are working together to provide
an opportunity for residents to say what they think about the quality
of local services and how they are delivered. As part of this process
a ‘Citizens Panel’ has been set up.
The Knowsley Voice involves around 3,000 people randomly selected from the electoral register. The people on the panel broadly represent the population of Knowsley as a whole, ensuring that the views expressed are from people of all areas, genders and ages, as well as social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Members of the panel are asked to complete a questionnaire once every three months. Occasionally they will also be invited to get involved in other activities, such as discussion groups, to talk about issues in more detail.
Each time a survey is carried out, all completed questionnaires are put into a prize draw. The first name drawn wins £200 worth of ‘Highstreet’ shopping vouchers. Three runners up win £50 worth of vouchers each.
All survey findings are immediately reported to those responsible for making policy. This ensures that any policy decisions taken are based on a clearer understanding of the public's views, and they contribute significantly to the way the Council, Police and the Health Authority look at their services. The Knowsley Voice provides a valuable tool to ensure that public consultation continues to influence the way local services are delivered, now and in the future.
No details of any Knowsley Voice panel member are available to any officers of the Council, the Merseyside Police or the Health Authority. A research organisation called "Merseyside Information Service" (MIS) keeps all the information on members of the panel and collates the survey results.
Copies of questionnaires and survey results, together with details of how to get involved in the panel, are available from the Knowsley Council website (click here).