Community engagement has a cost
• staff time, both initially and in follow-up work
• budget, there is no point in raising expectations without following through
Challenges
the community has unrealistic views or a range of opposing views…
•history of mistrust •apathy / lack of interest •groups with unrepresentative or vested interest views •its not possible to please one group without upsetting another
The Phoenix Centre
Heritage Service
• 3 historic houses • Whitehall – Honeywood – Little
Holland House • museum service • archives (part of library service) • traditional service
(Action plan for Community Engagement Building on Success DCLG and LGA, 2007)
Challenges
most people don’t engage with strategies or policies..
perceptions •history of dealing with the service or council •jargon and technical language •formal meetings and documentation
