Alvechurch Parish Council

What is Community Engagement?

Engagement’ is used as a generic, inclusive term to describe the broad range of interactions between people. It can include a variety of approaches, such as one-way communication or information delivery, consultation, involvement and collaboration in decision-making, and empowered action in informal groups or formal partnerships.

The word ‘Community’ is also a very broad term used to define groups of people and the individuals within them; whether they are stakeholders, interest groups, residents etc. A community may be a geographic location (community of place), a community of similar interest (community of practice), or a community of affiliation or identity (such as industry or sporting club).

‘Community Engagement’ is therefore a planned process with the specific purpose of working with identified groups of people or individuals to address issues affecting their well-being.

The linking of the term ‘community’ to ‘engagement’ serves to broaden the scope, shifting the focus from the individual to the collective to ensure consideration is made of the diversity that exists within any community.

Introduction

The purpose of this Policy is to guide Alvechurch Parish Council’s communication activity and public engagement. The Council aims to ensure that there are effective channels of communication both from the Council to the public and from the public to the Council.

Aims

Alvechurch Parish Council aims to:

• work more closely with residents, business and community groups;
• engage with as many people as possible in decision making, monitoring services and planning for the future;
• ensure that through the use of a wide range of approaches to public involvement and community engagement that residents are encouraged to share their views, ideas and concerns with the Council;
• use the views of the residents as an integral part of the decision-making process; and
• ensure that residents have opportunities to be heard at every stage.

Objectives
The Council is committed to creating and maintaining effective working relationships with all sectors of the community, based on trust, openness and constructive challenge.
The Councils objectives include:

• improving communication through the establishment of new channels of engagement;
• improving residents understanding of the role of the Council and Councillors;
• improving engagement with local communities, with more people feeling that they are involved in their area; and
• improving satisfaction with local public services and stakeholders

Alvechurch Parish Council intends to meet its objectives through:

1. Honesty and Openness

• making clear the purpose of any engagement activity;
• using the right methods to engage the local community;
• using engagement methods that are proportionate to the significance of the issue;
• being clear about what can be influenced; and
  using honest, accurate and unbiased

2. Listening

• listening and responding to individuals and communities, enabling and empowering residents to play an effective role in setting priorities, designing services and influencing decisions to shape their local area.

3. Inclusion

• undertaking fair and impartial engagement to a high standard to ensure that all residents are offered equal opportunities to participate in issues that may affect them and make a difference.

4. Working Together

• working together with a consistent approach to community engagement;
• sharing knowledge and information openly with residents and partner organisations, whilst respecting confidentiality; and
• using what has been learnt from contact with local people to better understand and engage with the community, and to improve the services it delivers.

5. Keeping in Touch

• • Providing feedback and demonstrating that changes are made as a result of effective community consultation
  • Using the following tools to inform, consult and involve:
    • posters, fliers and publications (newsletters);
    • public, neighbourhood and specific meetings including Parish Council meetings, Annual Parish meeting etc;
    • parishioners are encouraged to attend Full Council and Committee Meetings and time is set aside at all meetings for public participation at all these meetings;
    • presentations and briefings;
    • website updates, email, Facebook page etc;
    • questionnaires and surveys;
    • consultation events/workshops/exhibitions/general events;
    • Working parties;
    • community led plans i.e. Parish Plan, Neighbourhood Development Plan; and
    • comments and complaints