·  Outlining plans for Census Programme on March 27

Frank McGinley explained that he was one of eleven area co-ordinators working under one Census manager for the whole of Wirral.  He was co-ordinator for Neston, Claughton and North Prenton. 

He began his presentation with a quiz on when the census started, the population of Wirral in 2001, the percentage of returned census forms.  All the questions were answered correctly by members of the public.

The census day, 27 March 2011, will be publicised in the media and reminders and information will be given to coincide with popular TV programmes.

The census will provide a snapshot of the population on 27 March 2011 and the information will be used to fund local councils.  There is a legal requirement to fill in the census form and non-compliance can lead to a £1,000 fine.

Census forms will be sent by Royal Mail to each address in early March.  Returns can be returned via Royal Mail or can be filled in on line.  Householders must show everyone who was resident at the address on 27 March.

A collector will call to addresses where the form has not been returned, and this will be followed by a second visit if the form has still not been returned.

Help is available by the helpline 0300 0201 101, by texting 18001,0300 0201 160, via local authorities’ support and information services, and local drop in centres.

Cllr Holbrook emphasised the importance of people completing the census because it impacts on the amount of grant that local councils receive.

Frank McGinley responded to questions

Q  Will help be available for the elderly and vulnerable, and people who will not open the door etc and need help?

A  If there is a situation where people know where these people are, they should contact us and we will go in and help in that way.  We have a specialist group who will try to access the ‘hard to reach’.  We also liaise with wardens, etc.

Q  Is anything available to support the Polish community?

A  We have leaflets in Polish and we have a translator.  We do on an area basis where we know pockets of people live.

Q  What happens if you are abroad on the day?

A  It is the normal place of residence.  I will find the answer to that separately.

Q  Is information passed on?  I know private companies can obtain this information from the Census and Council and then send their literature.

A  The Census does not deal with individual properties.  No-one will be told the number of bedrooms and gardens etc.  It is not broken down.  What the Council do I don’t know.

A  [Bob Beresford]:  I’m not sure what you are referring to but I am not aware we would generate any information, and certainly not on a commercial basis.  I will discuss the issue separately with you after the meeting, or leave your name and address with the area co-ordinator and you will be contacted.

The Chair thanked Frank McGinley for the presentation.