Issue - meetings

The Deputy Mayor and Executive Member for Culture and Communities and the Director of Legal and Governance Services submitted a report for the Executive’s consideration. The purpose of the report was to seek approval of a proposed corporate Engagement Policy for 2021-22.

The proposed revised engagement policy (see Appendix 1 of the submitted report) provided a framework further developing the Council’s approach, building on work undertaken with communities prior to and during the pandemic, including the locality working pilots. It supported the ‘Quality of Service’ strategic priority of the Council’s Strategic Plan and was aligned with the corporate value of collaboration.

The principal aim of the policy was for the Council’s service to take an ‘asset-based’ approach to engagement, working with Middlesbrough’s people and its communities and the Council’s partners to recognise strengths and from those increase independence and self-reliance over time.

The policy planned to seek improvements, which were outlined at paragraph 8 of the submitted report.

OPTIONS

Option 1: No policy - There was no legal requirement for a corporate policy on public engagement, however such a policy, its supporting procedures and guidance provided a clear framework under which the Council’s officers could ensure that engagement was consistent, effective and complied with the law. As such, that option was not recommended.

Option 2: Status quo - The Council could have decided to retain the current policy and approach, which had been stated focused principally on formal consultations. That would have maintained the current robust approach to consultation, but would have seen more deliberative engagement activity evolve in an unplanned and unlinked manner, if at all. As such, that option was not recommended.

Option 3: Additional policy - The Council could have decided to retain the existing policy and develop an additional policy in respect of deliberative engagement approaches. That would have seen such approaches develop in a more planned manner, but would not have provided for a consistent or joined-up approach across engagement activity overall. As such, that option was not recommended.

ORDERED

That the proposed Engagement Policy for 2021-22 be approved.

REASON

To provide an enhanced framework for public engagement that was coherent and effective, built trust with communities, ensured that the voices of communities were heard in the Council’s decision-making and that the Council complied with all legal duties relating to engagement and consultation.

That ‘single policy’ option provided the greatest level of assurance that the Council would continue to meet its statutory obligations, and achieve its own strategic ambitions in respect of public engagement, and was recommended on that basis.