STATEMENT OF INTENT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
1 The Community
For the purpose of this Statement the terms ‘the community’ and ‘community members’ include:
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Those residing and working within the Parish of Ticehurst – that is the three Wards of Stonegate, Flimwell and Ticehurst.
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Businesses based within the Parish.
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Users of the Parish Council services
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‘Temporary’ guests to the community – particularly visitors.
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Community and interest groups.
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Voluntary and not-for-profit organisations.
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Church and faith groups.
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Educational establishments.
2 Aims
Ticehurst Parish Council seeks to:
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Work more closely with members of the community.
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Engage with as many people as practicable who wish to participate in community decision-making – particularly in relation to the provision of services and facilities, now and in the future.
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Ensure that, through a variety of community engagement techniques, the Council actively encourages the involvement of community members in order to ascertain their views and concerns - thereby aiding Council’s decision-making process.
3 Objectives
This Statement of Intent forms part of the Council’s strategy of creating, maintaining and developing effective working relationships with all sectors of the community based on trust, openness and constructive challenge. Outcomes of this strategy should result in:
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Improved communication through the use of existing and the introduction of suitable channels of engagement – such as the use of the Annexe during 2010 and 2011.
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Greater awareness amongst community members of the role of the Council.
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Improved interaction with community members, with more people feeling that they are involved in decisions affecting the community
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Improved satisfaction with public services.
4 Provision of information and opportunities for community involvement
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The Clerk to the Council works from home but will be at the Annexe on Tuesdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. on Thursdays each week.
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The Council’s web site
www.ticehurst.info contains copies of Council documents, such as minutes, a list of Councillors, and details of local groups within the community.
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The Council may be contacted by: telephone on 01580 754090 or email at frankienowne@btconnect.com.
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The Council publishes an Annual Report which summarises its activities over the preceding year and its accounts. It is made available at the Annual Assembly each year and left at key locations within the village, as well as being on the web site.
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Within Ticehurst News and Views, the Council publishes a quarterly ‘newsletter’
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Parish Councillors contact details appear within the Annual Report, the newsletter, on the Council web site and on the notice boards.
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Members of the public have a right and are encouraged to attend the Council’s meetings, which commence at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month (apart from August). At meetings of the full Council and the Planning Committee meetings there is a half hour period to allow members of the public to express concerns and ask questions
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The Council welcomes expressions of interest from persons with relevant specialist knowledge.
5 Opportunities for formal representation
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The Council welcomes presentations from local groups on matters of concern/interest at meetings of the Council. Unless the presentation is for information only, normally Councillors will consider the matter presented at the same meeting. In the first instance the Clerk should be contacted to discuss arrangements.
6 Partnership working
The Council welcomes invitations to appoint representatives to the managing/advisory bodies of local groups and organisations. A schedule of the Committees and Advisory Bodies that the Council facilitates is available on request and will soon be available on www.ticehurst.info and the notice boards.
7 Specific areas for community involvement
December 2011
