Longstanton Village

Longstanton Parish Council - Community Engagement Strategy 2009

Adopted 11^th May 2009.

Longstanton Parish Council is committed to engaging and empowering its residents and continually improving its approach to community engagement.

The Parish Council shall use the following strategies to ensure this.

Making information available, at the earliest opportunity, as to what matters are being considered by the Council and how residents may contribute and influence decisions.

Methods used to ensure this are:

·          By publication of information on the Longstanton village.org Website.

·          By posting of information on the five village notice boards.

·          By posting notices at the Village Shop/Post Office, The Pavilion, and the Village Institute.

·          By publication of reports and notices in the village magazine, Longstanton Life.

·          By holding public consultation meetings in the Village.

·          By word of mouth at regular monthly meetings of the Parish Council.

·          By leaflet drop, house to house.

·          By production of clear, understandable reports.

·          By holding an Annual Parish Meeting.

·          From the Parish Clerk at the Parish Office – the Parish Clerk plays a neutral role so that residents can be fully involved and confident that they are receiving unbiased information and support. Access to the Parish Office outside of the core hours may be arranged with the Parish Clerk to enable flexibility to those residents who work etc.

Longstanton Parish Council will be proactive and be willing to consider any reasonable opportunities that support its purpose of making information available and encouraging contributions from the community.

Nearly all meetings of the Parish Council and its Committees are open to the public and there is a period set aside for residents to comment on matters listed on the agenda at open meetings.

Parish Council contact details are displayed on the notice board outside the Village Institute (Parish Office) and on the website.

The Parish Council Office shall continue to display information and leaflets such as community contact details, meeting dates, How to become a Councillor literature and copies of the Village Magazine, Longstanton Life.

The Parish Council sponsors and promotes annual village events such as the Village Feast Day and shall continue to use any opportunities afforded to be present in the community. Every opportunity to increase a public presence will be welcomed and considered.

Individual Councillors, as well as the Parish Office, play a role in identifying opportunities.

The Parish Council shall maintain its office and hold its meetings in the heart of the village to encourage engagement with the community.

When dealing with ‘controversial’ issues of matters that affect the community, consideration will be given to holding ‘special meetings’ within the village.

Consultations and surveys are to be considered where necessary and results will be made available.

The Parish Plan 2005 – 2015. The Plan was community led, by an appointed steering committee, from March 2004. The Parish Plan was adopted by the Parish Council in 2005.

Summary Reports were delivered to each household in Longstanton. Hard copies and CD formats are available at the Post Office and at the Parish Office.

The Action Plan was adopted by the Parish Council in 2006.  Many issues, within the powers of the Parish Council, have been addressed and the Parish Council will review the Action Plan at intervals of three years.

The Parish Council produced a Publication Scheme in December 2007 (Freedom of Information Act), which is published on its website and available from the Parish Office. 

The Parish Council will be open and accountable in its dealing with residents and the community. Information, policies and procedures are freely available.

The Parish Council will, where appropriate, ensure local people and communities are referred to the correct department/officer/District or County Councillor and that they are aware of ways that they can use the relevant systems to make their views known.

The Parish Council ensure that our staff are properly trained and have the necessary skills to undertake supporting and advising the community.

The Parish Council is committed to working under a partnership model of engagement with our partners such as the Police, District and County Councils.