It has never been more important for councils to engage effectively with residents and communities. The experience of highly challenging local government finances, the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased cost of living has shown how vital it is that councils maintain open channels of communication, and opportunities for engagement.
Councils are increasingly aware of a degree of ‘consultation fatigue’ in many communities. This challenge, in addition to the challenge of engaging with hard-to-reach groups, has encouraged councils to seek innovation in how they 'do' community engagement.
Some local authorities have begun to fundamentally re-examine how they undertake community engagement.
The LGA, New Local and TPXimpact have been working together on a project to capture and celebrate examples of innovative community engagement in local government. We hope that these examples of notable practice will be translated to other local contexts and inspire those who are delivering projects and programmes where communities need to be engaged.
Over the past few months, we’ve heard inspiring stories of communities, councils and partner organisations bravely moving beyond traditional methods of engagement to find new ways of listening to and involving residents.
In councils of all sizes, tiers, regions and political make-ups, underrepresented groups and seldom-heard communities are being brought closer to decision-making and given new opportunities to shape the places and services that matter to them.
We are struck by how often this action begins with a spark of creativity and courage from a councillor or council officer, which then inspires others to embark on a journey of change.
We have collected a set of case studies and short videos describing some notable examples of innovative community engagement from across England.
- Engaging with young people post-pandemic – West Berkshire Council
- Engaging residents in new ways with 'We Walworth' – Southwark Council
- Co-designing the Paignton and Preston Seafront Masterplan – Torbay Council
- Working with housing association 'Bolton at Home' to reduce unemployment and deprivation – Bolton Council
- Focusing on strengths to engage communities – Stroud District Council
- Launching an Equalities Assembly to understand what 'good employment' means to residents – North of Tyne Combined Authority
- Revolutionising community funding processes through co-design and participation – Bristol City Council
- Working with survivors of domestic violence on the award-winning campaign 'Love is Not Abuse' – Wigan Council
- Challenging misinformation through a Community Champions Network of trusted local voices – Staffordshire County Council
- Designing a park in a day – Snitterfield Parish Council
- Setting up a People's Panel to explore a community's experience of the increased cost of living – Cheshire East Council
- Engaging faith communities in public health through 'Healthy Faith Settings' toolkits – Birmingham City Council
