Community Engagement Framework on Exhibition

Tuesday 2 May, 2017

Council is exhibiting a Draft Community Engagement Framework that aims to strengthen local democracy through ensuring the community has a strong voice in Council’s decision-making.

Administrator Richard Pearson said Council is now seeking feedback on the Framework so that community needs and expectations are understood and reflected in the decisions and actions of Council.

“Good community engagement is the basis for understanding decisions, sharing perspectives, improving outcomes and building trust between Council, the community, and other partners,” he said

“When eventually adopted at the June meeting, the Framework will strengthen local democracy through guiding how Council will more effectively engage so that a broad range of community perspectives are sought in Council’s decision-making,” he said.

“The Framework will define how staff plan, implement and evaluate community engagement."

Council engages the community across a wide variety of areas, including to:

• determine strategic plans, budgets, asset maintenance and service levels;
• identify community issues, needs and priorities;
• plan, change or evaluate infrastructure, programs, facilities or services;
• meet legislative obligations;
• obtain input into other matters where there is a significant real or perceived impact on community members.

Mr Pearson said Council has developed an online ‘Your Say Inner West’ engagement hub which allows people to participate at a time and place convenient to them.

“Council will also balance online engagement with techniques that bring people together such as workshops, focus groups citizen juries or on-site engagement sessions to ensure there are a range of opportunities to get involved,” he said.

Council is currently engaging on a number of significant issues including on

• Development of the Community Strategic Plan – a 10-year plus plan for the future of the Inner West, with multiple partners required to achieve the goals.
• Evaluation of trial locations for off-leash parks;
• Council’s annual operational plan and budget for 2017-18.

Residents should visit www.yoursayinnerwest.com.au or Council’s Customer Service Centres to view the Framework and have your say. Comments close on Friday 26 May.