Issue - meetings

Community Engagement Strategy

Meeting: 20/12/2019 - Cabinet (Item 94)

94 Community Engagement Strategy Consultation pdf icon PDF 334 KB

This report proposes public consultation on the development of a Community Engagement Strategy for BCP Council. The purpose of this strategy is to provide clear principles about how the Council engages and consults with the local community. The report outlines a proposed consultation period and seeks approval from Cabinet to commence this in January 2020.

This report also considers the need for the Council to develop clear guidance around how it will prioritise area-based regeneration work in areas of deprivation. It proposes that Cabinet authorises officers to develop a Community Regeneration Strategy in early 2020 which will provide clarity about how we identify and work within these priority areas.

This report also details the existing area forums and Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) Panels across BCP which currently provide a platform for community engagement and proposes that these are maintained for the foreseeable future, or until such time alternative arrangements are put in place.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Cabinet approve the draft principles contained within Appendix A, “Community Engagement Strategy Draft Principles”, and;

(b)           Cabinet approve the implementation of the consultation methodology and timescales included in Appendix B, “Community Engagement Strategy Consultation Plan”, and:

(c)           Cabinet authorises Officers to develop a Community Regeneration Strategy in due course, and;

(d)           Cabinet approve the ongoing support of area forums and SNT panels.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Tourism, Leisure and Communities

Reason

(a)           Cabinet are recommended to approve the draft principles in order for BCP Council to progress with the development of a Community Engagement Strategy which details the approaches it will use to engaging and consulting with the community. This ensures that the Council is delivering its Corporate Plan priority of Connected Communities. The draft principles will be subject to consultation with the wider community to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the needs of the local community.

(b)           Cabinet are recommended to approve the implementation of the Community Engagement Strategy Consultation Plan in order for a robust 13-week public consultation to take place. The details within the consultation plan propose far reaching methods to ensure that alongside traditional methods of consultation we are reaching out to seek the views of those who would often not engage in mainstream consultation techniques. A far-reaching consultation with a commitment to targeted consultation in every ward in the Borough will enable BCP Council to understand how to engage and consult with all sectors of society;

(c)           Cabinet are recommended to authorise officers to begin work on a  Community Regeneration Strategy in 2020 so that the Council has clear and transparent processes for how it will prioritise areas for regeneration to ensure that they are adequately resourced and supported.

(d)           Cabinet are recommended to approve the continuation of area forums and SNT meetings to ensure that there are recognised platforms for residents to engage with the Council and partners and raise concerns as required.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were requested to consider the proposed public consultation on the development of a Community Engagement Strategy for BCP Council. In relation to this Cabinet were advised that the purpose of the strategy was to provide clear principles about how the Council engages and consults with the local community.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board informed Cabinet that the Overview and Scrutiny Board at their recent meeting had resolved that Cabinet be recommended to build on known good practice and insight gathered by preceding authorities in the development of a Community Engagement Strategy.  

In relation to this Cabinet Members stressed the importance of engagement and of going through a proper process of review from new.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet approve the draft principles contained within Appendix A, “Community Engagement Strategy Draft Principles”, and;

(b)          Cabinet approve the implementation of the consultation methodology and timescales included in Appendix B, “Community Engagement Strategy Consultation Plan”, and:

(c)          Cabinet authorises Officers to develop a Community Regeneration Strategy in due course, and;

(d)          Cabinet approve the ongoing support of area forums and SNT panels.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder(s): Tourism, Leisure and Communities