The report outlines plans for, and the Council’s role in supporting, the national Census on 21 March 2021.

The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report setting out plans for the national Census on 21 March 2021 and the Council’s role in supporting the census.

The report noted that for the first time it would be a digital-first Census, with help available for people to take part online and paper surveys available for those who needed it.  In order to ensure as many Census returns as possible from the local area, local authorities had been asked to help in a number of areas, particularly in identifying more hard-to-reach communities and routes for engagement with those groups, as well as developing a general communications plan.  To facilitate this, ONS had employed Census Engagement Managers to work with local authorities in their areas. Community Advisors had also been employed to work with particular communities.  There would also be two Census Support Centres in Reading funded by ONS and run by Reading Voluntary Action at Central Library (if open), and by Communicare in East Reading.  These would support people to fill in the Census online.

The report explained that the first outputs of the census would be available by March 2022, with all results available by March 2023.  In the event of the Covid-19 lockdown situation continuing into March, the Census would still go ahead, with support for completion provided by telephone and online.

Resolved –

          That the report be noted.