Coronavirus: Pandemic response surveys launched to seek views from town councils, parish councils and community groups
Two surveys have been launched today to help gather the views from town councils, parish councils and community groups about responses to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organised by Shropshire Association of Local Councils (SALC) in partnership with Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council, the ‘SALC Members’ and ‘SALC Community’ surveys are being conducted to learn more about:
- How local communities have responded to the coronavirus pandemic
- Any concerns or issues currently being faced, or identified community concerns for the future
- Organisational support needs
- How local partnerships are benefitting local people
- Examples of good practice
- Ideas, suggestions and opportunities for the future.
The pandemic has emphasised the importance of the work of local councils, community groups and community organisations. The work of local leaders and volunteers has been recognised. Communities across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin responded quickly to establish pandemic responses, and continue to ensure community members most in need of support receive information and assistance.
Councillor David Beechey who represents Albrighton Parish Council, and Donington and Boscobel, and who proposed the survey, said:-
“We know that there has been a considerable amount of co-operation between local councils and volunteers during the pandemic to support residents in their areas, and thought it would be useful to conduct this survey to identify examples of good practice in the hope that any knowledge gained might encourage their extended adoption in the future.”
Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, added:-
“Co-operation between community groups, town councils and parish councils has always been extremely important, but the results local partnerships achieve have been recognised more than ever during the pandemic. Understanding this joint working will be important as we work together to overcome future challenges and recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
“I want to encourage colleagues from our town councils, parish councils and our community groups to please get involved and take part in these surveys. This is will allow us to better understand the huge efforts and positive outcomes that have been achieved, and also help us address any key issues and challenges that they’ve encountered.”
Councillor Paul Watling, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for co-operative communities, engagement and partnerships, said:-
“The last 12 months have shown how important it is to pull together to support our community. We have had the honour of working with local councils, community and voluntary groups, as well as hundreds of individual volunteers who have worked with us to provide support to those in need.
“Although I know how much this support has meant to the many people I have spoken to, it is really important that we reflect on what has worked well and what we could do better – which is what the survey is all about. The feedback from our partners will help to ensure that we continue to do all we can to support those in most need of our help.”
Organisations from the voluntary and community sector in both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, the Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) and the Telford Chief Officers Group (Telford COG) will also be supporting the research.
Both surveys are available on the Shropshire Council website, at SALC Members Survey and SALC Community Survey. Surveys will close on Wednesday 31 March 20201.
Further information
SALC has been working with Shropshire Council’s feedback and insight team to prepare some key questions for local research. There are two separate surveys, one designed for town councils and parish councils; and one to gather feedback from community groups.
