There are a range of options for how the poll could be run.
Who could take part in the poll
The poll could be for households located in the proposed trial area only, or we could include businesses, organisations, and people in other circumstances. For example, the poll could include or exclude…
- businesses and other organisations located in the trial area
- landlords who own a property in the trial area but do not live in the area
- tenants who rent a property in the trial area, but do not own a property in the area
- people who may be in the process of buying a house in the trial area
- people who live just outside the trial area, who may have a view about the use of hydrogen nearby.
For people and organisations that are not included in the poll, we could provide an inbox and postal address for them to share views. This feedback could be summarised and shared with Government, alongside results from the poll.
How the poll question could be structured
Single question with a ‘tick box’ for response
We could ask a single question about whether people agree or disagree with the proposed trial. This would make it quick for people to respond and provide a clear answer. However, it would not enable people to express any other views they may have.
The Council is committed to the poll being as open as possible. If we ask a simple question with tick boxes, we could consider holding a ‘public count’, similar to how votes are counted for elections. This would mean that we could count the votes and declare the results in public.
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This is an example of the type of single question that could be used:
Is your household for or against the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?- For the Hydrogen Village trial
- Against the Hydrogen Village trial
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‘Undecided’ option
As well as asking people if they agree or disagree with the proposed trial, we could include an option for people to say they are undecided. This would mean that people do not have to commit to one option or the other if they genuinely haven’t decided. However, this may mean that the poll could be less clear-cut.
‘Mixed views’ option
As well as asking people if they agree or disagree, we could include an option for people to say there are mixed views in their household. This would mean that people do not have to commit to one option or the other if their household genuinely doesn’t agree. However, this may mean that the poll could be less clear-cut.
‘Tick box’ question and a comments box
As well as asking people if they agree or disagree, we could include a comments box for people to share additional views.
We will need to ensure that the anonymity of residents is protected at all stages. Therefore, if we include a comments box, the poll could not then be counted and declared publicly, as responses may contain personal information. The poll would be analysed by the Council’s Research Team and the results shared publicly shortly after.
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This is an example of how the questions could be structured:
Is your household for or against the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?- For the Hydrogen Village trial
- Against the Hydrogen Village trial
- Undecided
- Mixed views in the household
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Do you have any comments to make about the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
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How the poll question could be worded
Above is one example of how the poll question could be worded. However, there are several ways the question could be phrased.
Some examples are:
- Is your household for or against the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
- Does your household agree or disagree that the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial should take place?
- Does your household support or not support the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
- Is your household in favour or not in favour of the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
There are a range of options for how the poll could be run.
Who could take part in the poll
The poll could be for households located in the proposed trial area only, or we could include businesses, organisations, and people in other circumstances. For example, the poll could include or exclude…
- businesses and other organisations located in the trial area
- landlords who own a property in the trial area but do not live in the area
- tenants who rent a property in the trial area, but do not own a property in the area
- people who may be in the process of buying a house in the trial area
- people who live just outside the trial area, who may have a view about the use of hydrogen nearby.
For people and organisations that are not included in the poll, we could provide an inbox and postal address for them to share views. This feedback could be summarised and shared with Government, alongside results from the poll.
How the poll question could be structured
Single question with a ‘tick box’ for response
We could ask a single question about whether people agree or disagree with the proposed trial. This would make it quick for people to respond and provide a clear answer. However, it would not enable people to express any other views they may have.
The Council is committed to the poll being as open as possible. If we ask a simple question with tick boxes, we could consider holding a ‘public count’, similar to how votes are counted for elections. This would mean that we could count the votes and declare the results in public.
|
This is an example of the type of single question that could be used:
Is your household for or against the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?- For the Hydrogen Village trial
- Against the Hydrogen Village trial
|
‘Undecided’ option
As well as asking people if they agree or disagree with the proposed trial, we could include an option for people to say they are undecided. This would mean that people do not have to commit to one option or the other if they genuinely haven’t decided. However, this may mean that the poll could be less clear-cut.
‘Mixed views’ option
As well as asking people if they agree or disagree, we could include an option for people to say there are mixed views in their household. This would mean that people do not have to commit to one option or the other if their household genuinely doesn’t agree. However, this may mean that the poll could be less clear-cut.
‘Tick box’ question and a comments box
As well as asking people if they agree or disagree, we could include a comments box for people to share additional views.
We will need to ensure that the anonymity of residents is protected at all stages. Therefore, if we include a comments box, the poll could not then be counted and declared publicly, as responses may contain personal information. The poll would be analysed by the Council’s Research Team and the results shared publicly shortly after.
|
This is an example of how the questions could be structured:
Is your household for or against the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?- For the Hydrogen Village trial
- Against the Hydrogen Village trial
- Undecided
- Mixed views in the household
|
Do you have any comments to make about the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
|
How the poll question could be worded
Above is one example of how the poll question could be worded. However, there are several ways the question could be phrased.
Some examples are:
- Is your household for or against the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
- Does your household agree or disagree that the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial should take place?
- Does your household support or not support the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
- Is your household in favour or not in favour of the proposed Whitby Hydrogen Village trial?
