Agenda item

The Chair introduced David Evans, Director of The Campaign Company (TCC), who presented the organisation’s work on community cohesion. The presentation outlined work TCC is doing with four pilot councils/groups of councils to support engagement with communities on difficult issues, and the importance of trust and empathy in supporting engagement and building community cohesion. A guide on engagement will be published in January and the organisation would welcome examples of the work different councils are doing.

The Chair thanked the Director for his presentation and invited members to share their views. There was a discussion during which a number of comments were made:

·         There could be a role for the LGA in collating the work done across this area into a centre for excellence.

·         The potential role of community or participatory budgeting as a next step in improving engagement and trust between councils and their communities.

·         The impact of national government policies, such as education, on community cohesion when attitudes are formed in childhood.

·         There must be a zero tolerance approach to racism at all times.

·         The importance of good engagement and consultation in fostering cohesion, with councillors having a leading role in leading this engagement.

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Decision:

The Board agreed to the proposed activities outlined in the paper.

Action:

Officers to progress the work in line with members’ comments.