We are submitting this draft policy document for approval by the Cabinet to go out to the wider public and partners for consultation.  The intention is for the final policy document to be brought back to full Council for approval once informed by the community consultation.  It is currently intended that the consultation of this document will form a significant part of Communities Week (Community Conference).

That Cabinet recommends to Council:

(i)         that the Policy Framework be amended to replace the Communication, Engagement and Consultation Strategy with the Community Engagement and Empowerment Strategy;

(ii)        that the Community Engagement and Empowerment Strategy set out at Appendix 3 to the submitted report be approved; and

(iii)       that Head of Policy, Performance and Community Engagement, working as part of the ‘Our Communities’ project team, takes responsibility for implementing the plans required to deliver this Strategy.

To update the current Community Engagement and Empowerment Strategy which is out of date and to meet the commitment made at the first Community Conference.

Alternative options were set out in the submitted report.

The recommendations of the Cabinet will be considered at the Council meeting on 25 February 2021.

The Community Engagement and Empowerment Strategy had been developed following feedback from the first Community Conference and to deliver the Council’s determination to engage with communities more effectively.  The Strategy set out the plan to address some of the key themes emerging from the Conference and clear statements about the Council’s offers, commitments and actions, working with the community to build more positive and trusted relationships.  It also outlined how the Council intended to meet its mission to be a Council that works in partnership with its residents, communities and partnerships based around six key elements.

The consultation taken on the draft strategy did not require any changes to the draft strategy, but provided a wealth of feedback to inform the implementation plan for the strategy.

Councillor Carter proposed and Councillor Cowell seconded a motion which was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet at set out above.

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