Appendix 3 - Consultation Note
Perth and Kinross Council · 23 October 2024
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 23 October 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Perth and Kinross Council Mobility Strategy Consultation Note 12 September 2024
Page 2
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 1 Introduction This document summarises the outcomes of various engagement and consultation initiatives in Perth & Kinross, which have significantly shaped the Mobility Strategy and the Mobility Strategy Action Plan. The key milestones in the consultation strategy for the Mobility Strategy included: 1. The Big Place Conversation 2. Let’s Talk Transport – Main Issues Report 3. Tactran Regional Quantitative Survey 4. Partners and Civil Stakeholders 5. Elected Members Workshop 6. Final Draft Consultation
Page 3
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 2 1. Big Place Conversation The "Big Place Conversation" engaged with over 1,200 participants across 121 events, including workshops, market stalls, online consultations, and focused working groups. These groups represented diverse demographics, such as schools, elderly homes, the LGBTQ community, individuals with visual impairments, and those with mobility issues. The conversation utilised the Place Standard tool to assess and evaluate the physical environment, including ‘Moving Around’, Public Transport, Traffic and Parking, and Streets and Spaces. Key insights collected from the Big Place Conversation enabled the Mobility Strategy to validate its evidence base against local insights. Each Transportation Planning Objective (TPO) was scrutinised against the findings to ensure locally identified issues were addressed strategically. This work also informed the Integrated Impact Assessment to ensure that people with protected characteristics and minorities were considered during the process. The findings played a pivotal role in shaping the Action Plan, with the STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) appraisal process ensuring actions and initiatives were evaluated based on public acceptability. 2. Let's Talk Transport - Main Issues Report The consultation for the Main Issues Report was facilitated through the Council's consultation hub, featuring a concise questionnaire with open-ended questions to capture detailed feedback from participants. The questions and responses were as follows: Questions ‘We asked’: 1. To what extent do you agree/disagree that the report explains why we need a Mobility Strategy for Perth and Kinross? 2. To what extent do you agree/disagree that the report provides adequate information about how people and goods move around in Perth and Kinross? 3. To what extent do you agree/disagree that the report identifies the key problems and opportunities across our existing transport network? 4. Are there any other suggestions you think should be mentioned regarding the emerging Mobility Strategy? Responses, ‘You said’:
Page 4
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 3 Question Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Answered Q1 37.31% 44.78% 8.96% 4.48% 1.49% 2.99% Q2 17.91% 50.75% 19.40% 7.45% 1.49% 2.99% Q3 19.40% 32.84% 22.39% 16.42% 4.48% 4.48% Q4 Q4 received 43 responses. Actions Taken, ‘We did’: Strong support was visible for the need to develop a Mobility Strategy, backed by evidence. Consequently, the draft Mobility Strategy emphasised climate concerns and emissions. Support shown to agree that information was shared transparently, using simple, non-technical language, this approach continued through the Strategy’s development. Although support for addressing issues and opportunities was evident, gaps were identified and were included for consideration in the draft Mobility Strategy, particularly focusing on costs, accessibility, and public transport. 3. Tactran Regional Quantitative Survey Tactran conducted regional public opinion research, including 300 participants from Perth & Kinross, ensuring a representative demographic. The research revealed that all four Regional Transport Strategy (RTS) objectives are deemed important by at least 80% of the population, with health and wellbeing being the most crucial. Support for promoting fair fares, improving public transport, and enhancing accessibility and security was over 90%. However, there was notable resistance to measures such as new charges for motorists (48% objecting), wider parking controls (18% objecting), and road space reallocation (14% objecting). This information has informed the draft Action Plan, helping to identify public support for the vision, objectives, and strategic actions. 4. Partners and Civil Stakeholders
Page 5
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 4 During the development of the Mobility Strategy, the Lead Officer engaged with various organisations and stakeholders to gather insights into their experiences with the transport network in Perth and Kinross. Examples of stakeholders included SEPA, NatureScot, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Tactran, Network Rail and Scot Rail, NHS Tayside, National Farmers Union, Sustrans, Roads Haulage Association, PK Leadership Forum, University of Highlands and Islands, Scottish Care, HCSP, and Strathallan Community Rail Partnership. 5. Elected Member Workshops: Two key Elected Member workshops were used to engage with Elected Members in terms of shaping the Transport Planning Objectives and Action Plan. 4th October: Workshop to engage members in formulating the Mobility Strategy, discussing the Regional Transport Strategy, the Main Issues Report, and draft Transport Planning Objectives. 18th April: Workshop to brief members on the draft Mobility Strategy and Action Plan, covering key findings and the forthcoming consultation plan. 6. Final ‘Draft Consultation’ The final consultation initiative involved presenting and responding to the Draft Mobility Strategy and Action Plan following committee approval (1 May Climate Change & Sustainability Committee). This consultation initiative also allowed for the promotion of draft impact assessments, the Strategic Environmental Assessment, and the Integrated Impact Assessment. In our endeavour to foster community engagement and promote the Mobility Strategy, a diverse range of promotional activities and communication channels were utilised. These efforts aimed not only to encourage participation but also to provide comprehensive information to stakeholders. The following summarises our approach and key findings:
Page 6
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 5 Promotional Activities: Deployment of 6 stalls strategically located across PKC at high footfall events, such as farmers' markets. Issuance of press releases to media outlets. Amplification through multiple social media channels. Inclusion in the Perth Business Bulletin, May Edition Email dissemination to all Elected Members and the Transportation Teams professional stakeholder contact lists. Tailored education communications to all Council Secondary Schools, including an easy-read version of the Mobility Strategy. An Easy Read was also shared with Perth’s Centre of inclusive living. Collaboration with community networks, including the Community Engagement Newsletter (Issue 56). Promotion of the consultation at the Perth and Kinross Council Schools and Youth Engagement Work group on 12 June 2024. Information cards were distributed at public-facing facilities, including the reception desks of Pullar House and 2 High Street in Perth. A promotional banner was also sited at the reception desk of Pullar House during the consultation period. Response demographics were recorded, within boundaries of GDPR, allowing us to ask minimal but informative questions on age and representation group. Due to our outlined promotional activities we managed to attract a diverse array of participants, with a particular focus on the younger demographic.
Page 7
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 6 Response A total of 72 responses were received in the final draft consultation through the Consultation Hub. The demographic profile of the respondent sample is outlined in the table below: Questions ‘We asked’: 1. To what extent do you agree/disagree that we have clearly explained why we need a Mobility Strategy for Perth and Kinross? 2. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the objectives of the Mobility Strategy for the Perth and Kinross transport network? 3. To what extent do you agree/disagree that the actions in the action plan are adequate to achieve the objectives for the Perth and Kinross transport network? 4. Are there any other suggestions or comments that you would like to mention regarding the Mobility Strategy? Respondent Age Under 18 19-60 60+ Prefer not to say No answer Responses 29.17% 41.67% 13.89% 6.94% 8.33% Respondent Type Resident Community Group Business Third sector Public Agency Student Other Not answered Response 50.00% 2.78% 5.56% 5.56% 0.00% 29.17% 1.39% 5.56%
Page 8
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 7 Responses, ‘You said’: Question Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Not Answered Q1 29.17% 30.56% 22.22% 9.72% 4.17% 4.17% Q2 22.22% 44.44% 15.28% 6.94% 4.17% 6.94% Q3 13.89% 30.56% 23.61% 16.67% 6.94% 8.33% Q4. 34 responses were received for this part of the question. Actions Taken, ‘We did’: Positive feedback was noted around the way in which the purpose and need for the Mobility Strategy was explained in the draft policy document (59.73% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed with Q1). As such, the background information and structuring remain unchanged within the policy document. 66.66% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed with the Transport Planning Objectives that were set. With strong endorsement for the 11 TPO’s, they remain unchanged. 44.45% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the actions in the action plan are adequate to achieve the Transport Planning Objectives. Following specific feedback on deliverability, tweaks have been made to the Action Plan to align with delivery structures/team leads. The wording of 87 actions has been tweaked based on feedback from the public consultation and stakeholders. Some of the these include: o Clarifying the role that PKC plays in terms of working with potential funders and partners to deliver on the actions. 25 potential funding sources, and 59 potential partners have been identified, and indicative costs have been applied, from low to very high. o Splitting actions into strategic and supporting actions, and re-aligning supporting actions to appropriate strategic actions. o Re-packaging actions into appropriate themes.
Page 9
Draft Mobility Strategy – Consultation Note 8 A significant number of responses at the promotional events related to disappointment with bus service cuts and their connectivity. This has been considered in the action plan development. Report accessibility issues were raised, around the size and ease to zoom on the document. This has been fed back to the Citizen Space (Consultation Hub). Vagueness of actions was mentioned which has been addressed where applicable. 7. Additional Initiatives Other initiatives informing the Mobility Strategy included: Carbon Childs Annual Event 2023: Discussions on challenges, actions, and the imperative for altering transport modes. Community Action Plans: Incorporating locally collated evidence, perspectives, and knowledge. Internal Discussions: Throughout the development of the strategy, Senior Officers across Perth and Kinross Council were involved, facilitated by the Mobility Working Group, including members from various teams such as Traffic and Networks, City Development, Perth Smart Team, Air Quality/Public Health, Climate Change, Tactran, Transportation & Development, Infrastructure Team, Greenspace, and Roads Maintenance. 8. Summary The consultation initiatives in Perth & Kinross were comprehensive and inclusive, gathering extensive public and stakeholder input to shape the Mobility Strategy and its Action Plan. These efforts validated the evidence base, informed the Integrated Impact Assessment, and highlighted strong support for addressing climate concerns and accessibility in the strategy. Overall, the consultations significantly influenced the Mobility Strategy, ensuring it is inclusive, aligned with public needs, and supported by continued proactive communication with stakeholders.