Other comments

• To improve engagement, respondents suggest carrying out more online consultations and ensuring these consultations reach all sections of the community/ city
• To achieve greater engagement and inclusivity in consultations, workshop participants suggest having advisers or community champions within the council to co-produce policy recommendations, as well as regular meetings between councillors, staff residents, and interested parties on different topics
• On a practical level, workshop participants suggest specific parking permits and holding engagement activities at varying times (e.g. evenings and the weekend) to enable greater participation

This table shows the most common themes to come from the ‘other comments’ are:
Making sure consultations reach all sections of the community/city
More online consultations
Better diversity within the council workforce
Tailored consultation with different groups e.g. trans and LGB
Share results of consultations, feedback, progress reports and action plans
Set realistic expectations for each consultation
Set up free wifi hotspots around the city
Improve youth engagement by working with schools more
Engage more in community events and activities
Work with churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith meeting places

What else would make it easier for you/your communities to take part in surveys and consultations?

Top level ideas

• Have advisers or community champions within the council from the protected characteristics groups to co-create/co-produce policy recommendations, and facilitate engagement in surveys amongst their cohort
• Regular meetings between councillors, staff, residents and interested parties on different topics to keep communication channels open and maintain frequent dialogue

Practical steps

• Parking permits for specific purposes (e.g. attending a workshop) to encourage participation
• More notice when workshops or other engagement activities are taking place
• Hold some engagement activities at weekends and in the evenings so a wider cross-section of the community is able to attend

General engagement

• Members of the Youth Cabinet suggested using the council’s voice, through suitable social media platforms, to provide information, and raise awareness around different EDI issues such as LGBTQ+ and trans rights, and sexual violence against women and girls. Increased visibility and normalisation of these subjects could help to reduce instances of micro-aggression or discrimination and potentially foster reparative justice around those instances.

“To get a true picture of the community it is absolutely key that the engagement and consultation reach all areas, groups and people in the community. Most of the time those surveys and consultation goes to the same people or groups who tend to give their opinion on behalf of people they don’t even know or share same experiences with. Therefore it is most likely to represent some but not all members of the community. Engagement should be extensively planned, targeted, monitored and ensure adequate representation from all aspect of the community as best as possible. It should not be relied on particular people, organisations or groups to do this.”

“It would be positive to share results of consultations, action plans and progress reports as well as requesting the initial information.”

“Asking is one thing – delivering is quite another we need to manage the initial realistic expectation – then we might have a chance of delivering.”

“People need to feel that their views and experiences will be respected, taken seriously and, where applicable, action for change will be implemented within a reasonable time frame.”