An online survey has been launched by the Guildford Borough Council as part of their Delivery Plan, which outlines significant actions to fulfill the priorities of their new Corporate Strategy. This strategy is integral to the council's long-term vision for creating opportunities for all residents within the Guildford borough. Based on five key priorities, the Corporate Strategy influences budget decisions and service delivery across the community.
The council, led by Julia McShane (Lib Dem, Westborough), is prioritizing public participation as they shape this plan. McShane noted, “We’re working hard to improve the lives of everyone who calls Guildford home. It’s only by listening and truly comprehending the needs of our communities can we shape the future of our borough.”
Local feedback is deemed necessary, as the council has recently engaged with businesses, public sector partners, and educational institutions. McShane reiterated the importance of resident input: “We want to make it a greener, fairer, thriving place to live, work, and do business.” The Delivery Plan survey is open until March 14 and encourages all residents to have their say.
Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice is revising the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, based on public feedback. Published for consultation on February 13, 2025, the bill received numerous suggestions leading to the current revision process. The Ministry emphasizes its wish to sustain transparency and engage deeply with stakeholders.
A press release stated: "Considering number of suggestions and concerns received, it has been decided to conclude the consultation process now. Based on the feedback received, the draft Bill, as revised will be processed afresh for consultation with stakeholders." This move has been welcomed by the Bar Council of India (BCI), highlighting the government's commitment to accommodate legal professionals’ concerns.
The BCI's statement reflects its appreciation for the government's proactive stance, emphasizing meaningful dialogue for reforms affecting advocates. They urged all Bar Associations to suspend preemptive protests or strikes, encouraging the return to normal court operations.
On another front, feedback is also being gathered for the revamped school lunch program, which has garnered mixed responses. Students have been vocal about their opinions, with some praising the changes, others expressing dissatisfaction.
Minister David Seymour has shifted his tone, acknowledging feedback from principals indicating improvements. He stated, "We’re getting a lot of feedback from principals who actually say they believe their children think the food is superior to the previous offerings." Despite this, there seems to be no official mechanism to record positive feedback systematically, leaving some wondering about the tangible metrics for success.
Seymour's office clarified they receive positive notes via email from schools and during visits but do not maintain formalized records of these reactions. The School Lunch Collective provides several feedback channels but has not disclosed actual feedback reports.
Following inquiries by RNZ, Seymour's office later shared collected feedback, with reports indicating overwhelming positivity. One principal noted students were eager and excited about the new meals, mentioning, "The students are loving the meals... delivery is going great, so I just wanted to thank you all for your hard mahi..." One student even remarked, "Once again I ate it LOL, [it] was good for $3..."
This breadth of feedback across different government initiatives underlines the importance of community voices in shaping effective programs and legislation, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and responsiveness within public governance.