Local Government Association

‘Place-branding’, ‘place-building’, ‘place-leadership’, ‘place-based approaches’. These are terms you will probably have heard before, and will certainly hear again. The terminology crops up so often because within it lies the potential to achieve the goals that public service drives towards.

Digital can reach a far greater audience. Social media is great way of gauging people’s views, responding to enquiries and letting your community know what you are up to.

Done badly, consultation and engagement can fall into the trap of disproportionately involving those who are keenly motivated or find it easy to engage.

The role of representing or serving a group of several thousand local people is complex because of the patterns of change in social and political life in recent decades.

As this refresh and previous versions of New Conversations guides show, the context within which local authorities have to carry out community engagement is always changing. As such, we want to see this as a dynamic and evolving guide to make sure you are supported to meet the needs of your communities.

As well as direct relationships between councils and the community, high levels of trust can also benefit relations between different groups within the community.

When engaging the public, local authorities want to hear from residents who reflect the full perspectives, knowledge and identities of their communities.

We are calling for a co-produced, national workforce strategy alongside action to improve terms and conditions.