Have your say with new online consultation

Shoppers, traders and visitors will be able to voice their opinions on the trial pedestrianisation of Widemarsh Street over the Internet after Herefordshire Council launched its newly upgraded website.

For the first time the public will be able to register their say over the web using this new software on Herefordshire Council projects.

The trial pedestrianisation of Widemarsh Street is the first consultation to go live on the new system.

The website improvements are part of an ongoing programme to engage the public in the local decision-making process.

Once up and running the easy-to-use service, developed by UK firm iNovem Ltd, will also allow access to all public consultations past, present and future.

 Follow this link to access the consultation.

By registering on the site, visitors will also be able to declare interests in other issues, such as housing, transportation and regeneration schemes, so that the council can notify people in advance of upcoming projects and consultations.

Cllr Brian Wilcox, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation), said: “Herefordshire Council is continuing to consult with the public over the trial pedestrianisation of Widemarsh Street and this new online consultation tool provides another means of engaging with the public.

“It’s simple to use and allows people to have their say instantly.”
 
Martin Heuter-Russell, Herefordshire’s Community Involvement Coordinator, added: “Although the Internet is not our only means of consultation, this technology will allow us to offer a more consistent approach to managing public consultations across the authority.

“We are hoping that the interactive online questionnaire facility will make it a lot easier for a wider group of people to present their ideas and opinions.

“We will also use this service to publish our findings therefore making the whole process a lot more open and transparent.”

Over time Herefordshire Council is intending to invite local partners to promote and run their consultations via the service.

This would make it even easier to understand how to get involved in local issues and help to improve public services.