Agenda item

Robert Marshall, Business Intelligence Analyst:

a)    confirmed that Lincoln’s population had risen by 750 to 100,049 in 2020 and it was expected to reach just over 104,000 by 2039. He added that Lincoln remained a young city with 30.2% of its population in the 15-29 age bracket

b)    highlighted that Boultham Ward remained the most populous ward in Lincoln with 11,932 residents and it had the highest number of younger people within the ward at 6,089

c)    advised that we had a total of 18,705 University students in the city in 2019/20* up 570 from the previous year. He added that China was still providing the largest source of international students to the University of Lincoln with 359 students in 2020/21

d)    outlined that Lincoln’s most common age group remained at 20-24, with a percentage of 14.3%, a jump from 12.5% last year. This was certainly as a result of having two Universities in a small city and added that Lincoln had an even spread of gender at approximately 50/50

e)    advised that at present, 0.8% of our population made up the Lincoln Citizens Panel which was equal to less than 800 people. Therefore, if only half responded, the representation would be reduced to only 0.4% of the population and added that inclusion of under 16’s posed a difficulty due to GDPR legislation which caused significant issues

f)     reported that the introduction of an electronic survey saw 200 out of 800 people still choose to use a paper copy which lengthened the process

g)    highlighted the difficulties in engaging the interest of younger members and added the need to build a cycle with a concern that the questions contained on the questionnaire were not always relevant to the person who received it

h)    added that the Lincoln Citizen Panel would like to get involved with school panels and consideration had been given to this through the citizenship skills agenda (SMCS)

i)     invited questions and comments from members of the Committee

As a result of discussion between members, officers and guest speakers, the following points were made: -

• Issues surrounding registration were noted and clarification was sought regarding the figure of 104,000 students in Lincoln. It was queried whether that figure was representative of students currently enrolled or those registered to which it was stated that the figure was an estimation from the Office of National Statistics 2011.
• Members requested further information on how people joined the Lincoln Citizens Panel and if there was a limit on the number of people on the panel. In addition, how many surveys were carried out and if the results were weighed by demographics. It was confirmed that invitations were sent out online and the use of an external company was optimised to carry out a random selection that was demographically representative. In additional, the panel consisted of 800 members, but the number could be increased if desired.
• Further interest was expressed at the possible use of the Lincoln Citizens Panel in other consultation on other Committee’s and it was agreed that members would request further information on that idea after the meeting.
• It was important to consider other young people that were not enrolled at the University and how we could engage beyond students.
• Data was drawn from the Office of National Statistics and not necessarily taken from the Census; last carried out in 2011 and therefore would now be outdated.
• The City focus on younger people was important, especially to economic growth with a considerable part of that growth owing to University students. It was important to remember that evidence showed individuals often stayed in the place that they attended University. However, the aspirations of those not enrolled in University should be supported also and if there weren’t sufficient job opportunity, individuals would move or relocate to other cities.
• The Chair gave comment on the method of engagement used and referred to Zest Theatre who had been successful in youth engagement through their methods. She added that a static survey was not the best way to achieve that and suggested that young people met in a room to encourage communication and the sharing of ideas. This suggestion was considered alongside the concept of a tailored survey.
• The wider aspirational picture needed due consideration and the Committee would be interested in learning the retention figures of those in Lincoln that had studied here and stayed. Rob Marshall advised the Committee that he would find the data and present it to the Committee at a future meeting.
• By working with local enterprises, job creation could prove an encouragement for people to stay in Lincoln. We should consider the city as a brand with prospects to do wonderful things.
• Suggestions were considered for the subsidy of incentives to initiate engagement more successfully. Comments included a proposal of working with local organisations to offer incentives such as subsidised bus fares which in turn, would encourage use of public transport and would support green initiatives. Thought was given to the potential use of responsible incentives.
• Members commented that giving officers more volunteering time to engage with governing boards of schools, would allow them to become more integrated.

Thanks was given to Robert Marshall for an interesting and informative presentation given with little notice in the absence of Pat Jukes, Business Manager