Councillors hit back at claims that the town council "failed" to reach out to Alsager's younger generations during the town's public realm consultation.

At last Tuesday's Alsager Town Council meeting, councillors received a synopsis of the Public Realm Consultation, 'A vision for Alsager'.

The survey opened in early March and closed on 31 May 2021. A total of 1,355 completed surveys were received.

Out of the responses, nearly 43 per cent were aged 60 or over, which was the age group with the most responses, whereas 17 years or under was the lowest (0.37%) age group to respond to the survey.

Speaking at last Tuesday's Alsager Town Council meeting, on behalf of a resident, Cllr Sue Helliwell felt the age ranges of the respondents showed that the town council had "failed" to reach out to the younger generations.

Percentage of respondents

- Under 17 years – 0.37%

- 18-20 years – 1.04%

- 21-29 years – 6.11%

- 30-39 years – 14.05%

- 40-49 years – 16.35%

- 50-59 years – 19.67%

- 60+ years – 42.91%

According to the Census of 2011, Alsager had a population of 11,775 with 5,183 households.

The breakdown of the Census showed that the age ranges from aged 55-75+ had 4,300 residents which equates to 37% of the total Alsager population.

The age ranges aged 35 – 54 had 3,219 residents which is 27% of the Alsager population.

When cross referenced (Census data) with the percentage of the responders, it does show the pattern that Alsager has a more of an elderly population.

Cllr Helliwell felt the consultation could have lasted longer which would have allowed the town council to speak to pupils at Alsager School face-to-face as well as holding drop-in session at the Alsager Civic, as Covid-19 restrictions continue to be eased ahead of July 19.

Cllr Helliwell said: "I do think we failed."

Cllr Michael Unett disagreed and felt the town council had received a "healthy" response to the consultation.

The chair of the town council said: "For what was originally an online consultation I think the 60+ age group respondents is actually very high."

Cllr Pauline Hubbard highlighted that paper surveys were also delivered to every Alsager household informing them of the consultation.

Cllr June Buckley felt 26 per cent of households responding to the survey was a "large" amount.

The Liberal Democrat ward councillor said: "I don't think we failed at all; I think we got an excellent response.

"If it wasn't for Covid maybe we could have gone down to the skate park [and approached the younger generations]."

Cllr Jane Smith felt a "reluctance to engage" from the younger generations could have been a reason for the lack of responses in those specific age groups.

Cllr Helliwell reiterated that a longer consultation would have allowed the town council to have more than one solitary evening drop-in session, although nobody attended.

The Conservative councillor added: "The people that contacted me afterwards had forgotten there was a meeting.

"People wanted to come and see the presentation boards and some of their fears would have been answered."

A face-to-face public realm stall was held at the Wednesday market on Fairview Car Park, which Cllr Helliwell felt was really useful for residents.

Cllr Rod Fletcher felt 26 per cent of households responding was a "phenomenal" result.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats added: "The older generation are always being told nowadays that the best way to contact young people is online."

He felt that the town council had "bent over backwards" to give residents a chance to register their views.

Cllr Fletcher continued: "Twenty-six per cent of respondents is absolutely brilliant and I think we should be celebrating that fact."

The Public Realm Working Group was created to work with Xanthe Quayle consultants on proposals to develop the town centre.

The 'Reclaiming the Road' proposals had been recommended as an action from the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

The key objective of the scheme is to make Alsager town centre the hub of the community, which responds to a wide range of needs and activities that enables people to meet and enjoy a range of social experiences.

A more detailed report of the survey's findings will be circulated at future town council meetings.