Issue - meetings

Scrutiny on the Review of Neighbourhood Engagement

Meeting: 11/07/2016 - Adults Scrutiny Panel (Item 7)

Neighbourhood Engagement Review

Review of neighbourhood engagement – joint presentation K Samuels and Lindsay Kelly. 

Minutes:

Lynsey Kelly provided feedback relating to the review of neighbourhood level engagement and tasking arrangements.

She advised that the review was carried out to identify how communities would like to be consulted and engaged with about local crime and community safety priorities, how best to reach communities and residents and to work with partners to agree how we communicate and share actions with our partners.

 

In relation to data provided about City diversity the Panel highlighted that engagement with residents through the current PACT meetings was limited and mechanisms for engaging with residents did not appear representative. Lindsay Kelly advised that there was evidence to suggest this was the case with current methods of engagement.  She highlighted that over 86% of residents have internet access and could be involved and she added that there was live screening of some PACT meetings widening the community engagement offer. She clarified that the review aims to consider alternative communication such as use of social media and engagement to expand the Councils reach.  She advised that examples of best practice had been looked at on recent visits.

 

Cllr Paula Brookfield suggested that Councillors could play a useful role in the community consultation by manning information stalls at local events; she suggested that hearing about local concerns and talking to the community face to face would be re-assuring.

Cllr Anwen Muston highlighted that the equality characteristics focused on race and language and asked how officers would engage with the rest of the people represented in all equality groups. The Head of Community Safety clarified that officers had actively engaged a wide range community forums including faith sector and communities of interest as part of the consultation process. She confirmed that the update is demonstrating where officers are now with the consultation process and was a snap shot of the bigger report.

Cllr Elias Mattu indicated that people cannot be forced to come to PACT meetings and agreed that more can be done to go out to the public but that police resources had to be taken into consideration.

 

In response to questions from Cllr Patricia Patten the Head of Community Safety clarified that voluntary organisations had been mapped out and had participated in promoting the consultation.

 

Cllr Rupinderjit Kaur referred to her experience of PACT meetings and the need to reach out to and inform more people. She suggested engaging more people from different religions and races by holding the meeting in accessible places in the local community such as temples, churches and community centres.

 

Resolved

 

That the presentation is received and comments of the Panel arising from debate inform the consultation process.