Community Engagement and Statement of Intent Policy

Introduction

Little Eccleston with Larbreck Parish Council is committed to improving engagement with all sections of the local community: residents, voluntary groups, young and elderly, businesses and local groups and organisations. The overall aim is to increase the involvement of people in the life of their communities and in the Council’s decision-making processes.  In doing this the Council will become more responsive to the needs of the Community and be able to better reflect its views and aspirations.

Engagement

The Council, its Members and staff strive to take every opportunity to actively engage with the following sections of the community (where these are in existence):

• Residents of the parish
• Local youth groups
• Groups representing the elderly
• Residents’ Associations
• Voluntary Organisations
• Community Associations
• Schools
• Businesses within the Parish
• Church Groups
• Councillors – public service representatives and staff

Effective engagement can only be achieved through providing information to these sectors and seeking residents’ views. The Council regularly works in partnership with Lancashire County Council, Fylde and Wyre Borough Councils and neighbouring parish Councils.

This joined up approach has enhanced the Parish Council’s engagement with our local communities through village consultations which lead to the development of projects for the benefit of our parish.

The Council employs a number of methods to inform our communities:

• Contact details of the Clerk and individual Councillors are available on the Council’s website and notice boards.
• Notices of meetings are posted on the Council’s notice boards, on its website and in the InFocus publication.
• The notices indicate that the Council gives the public the opportunity to participate in meetings. The Council’s policy on public participation is available on its website and via the Clerk.
• The Council’s website provides details of its services and activities and provides access to the Council minutes and a number of other documents.

Aims and Objectives

The Council’s aims and objectives for seeking community engagement and the outcomes it hopes to achieve are:

• To enable an involved and active community through consultation with residents on local issues, reaching all sectors of the community including hard to reach groups, and seeking the views of young people.
• To communicate information clearly and factually through the management of the Council’s website.
• To improve communication with partner organisations
• To actively be involved in local organisations.
• To raise the profile and reputation of the Council through:
  • Inviting residents to take part in council meetings through public participation.
  • Publicising the Annual Parish meeting throughout the Parish area.
  • Informing the press of the activities of the Council, when appropriate.
  • Encouraging the Chair to fulfil his civic role by accepting invitations to community events.
• To enable each Councillor to effectively perform their role as elected representatives of the community through
  • the issue of a new members’ information pack
  • encouraging Councillors to attend meetings of community organisations or take up places on community groups and organisations.
  • To ensure Parish Council staff represent the interest of the Council at community events
• To encourage staff to have an effective input into the Council’s decision-making process.

Contact Details:

Website: lewlparishcouncil.gov.uk

Clerks email: parishclerk@lewlparishcouncil.gov.uk