It is probably fair to suggest that, over the years, at least some local councils have not engaged sufficiently with those they are elected to represent.
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Moreover, some elected representatives take the view that they were elected to govern and make decisions and that perfunctory “consultation” was the limit of what was required.
To most effectively represent the community, Armidale Regional Council (ARC) requires a consistent and best practice approach to engaging with its constituents. In my view, the traditional local government approach of “top down” informing and consultation goes only part-way to genuine commitment to community participation and engagement. For me, an effective, well-performing council listens attentively and heeds its constituents’ views and wishes.
It is vital that ARC is open, transparent and accountable, making decisions in the best interests of the public. Council needs to develop and strengthen trust with the community and build citizen confidence in council’s capacity to plan and make decisions that will respond to the present and future needs of the constituents of the LGA.
Effective community engagement is an integral part of developing council plans, policies, and the provision of services and assets. Engagement is an important part of the democratic system under which council operates. Best practice community engagement should be built on openness, transparency, trust, and respect.
An engagement strategy should outline the commitment, principles, and engagement framework under which opportunities will be made available for the community to contribute to the council’s decision-making processes. The community should be kept well informed throughout the engagement process and receive feedback that demonstrates how their input influenced the decision.
A local council that consistently engages effectively with its community is helping to safeguard local democracy while placing people at the centre of local government.
Community engagement should apply to all facets of council’s operations including corporate, strategic land use, financial planning, and council’s day-to-day activities. It needs to be multi-faceted, requiring a standard of consultation that appropriately responds to the nature, complexity and impact of the matters involved.
Engagement methods and techniques used will vary according to circumstances.
A consistent approach should be undertaken by council and staff in relation to projects requiring community consultation. It is vital to create an organisational culture and staff capacity ensuring processes add value, and comprise best practice and good governance.
Moreover, engagement methods need to be flexible, inclusive and appropriate to those being engaged. When the council engages with community it should consider all groups, even though it may be difficult to reach every diverse community group, and some groups will choose not to engage.
The council should also have proper regard to the reasonable expectations of the community, to the costs and benefits of the engagement process, and to inter-generational equity.
The level of community engagement undertaken should always be appropriate to the nature, complexity and impact of the issue, plan, project, or strategy. Adequate time and reasonable opportunity should be provided for people to present their views to council in an appropriate manner and format.
Processes need to be used to help assist people participate in engagement where otherwise they may have limited accessibility to council. A summary of community responses should always be made available for the public to review and respond.
A local council that consistently engages effectively with its community is helping to safeguard local democracy while placing people at the centre of local government.
Dr Ian Tiley is the administrator for Armidale Regional Council.
