A major consultation carried out by the Council has highlighted a growing demand amongst residents to be more actively involved in local decision making.
A total of 474 people took part in the consultation earlier this year that is dedicated to defining the ‘Charter for Public Participation’. The full report and breakdown of statistics can be viewed here.
The consultation, which is part of the council’s response to the Grenfell inquiry and its commitment to build “a more transparent, listening council”, has revealed a strong appetite for influence within communities in how the council runs the borough.
While 86% of respondents said it was important that residents have a say in major decisions, only 38% felt that they currently do.

Trust and transparency were central themes in the feedback from residents. They repeatedly called for clearer communications, more honest dialogue, and regular updates explaining how their feedback is actually used in shaping the decisions and policy they had engaged with.
When asked what kinds of decisions they wanted to be involved in, 72% said that changes to local services should be opened up for wider debate, even if people did not use them directly themselves. Policies affecting the whole borough were backed by 68%, while 63% highlighted the importance of involvement in neighbourhood-specific issues.
Digital engagement was welcomed, but seen as insufficient on its own. Residents stressed the need for more face-to-face opportunities, especially in community spaces such as libraries. They also asked for more inclusive arrangements, including accessible venues, translated materials, and practical support, such as childcare and transport.

The visibility of leadership was another issue of concern. Many residents said that they want councillors and officers to spend more time in local areas and at community meetings – rather than engaging through email, social media, or letter drops.

Three quarters of respondents said the best way for the council to demonstrate that it is listening is by re-defining the ‘feedback loop’ and reporting back directly to participants to outline how specific decisions were shaped by the views they had expressed. A further 58% said they would be more likely to take part if they believed their involvement could lead to real change..
Younger and more ethnically diverse residents were particularly interested in non-traditional methods of engagement, including postcards partnerships with community organisations.
In response to the survey, the new Charter for Public Participation is now being co-designed with a diverse group of residents. The first of three co-design sessions has already been held, described by the council as the beginning of a “genuine collaboration” with the community. A group of 10 people of different ages and backgrounds are currently helping shape the new charter.

A shorter, more user-friendly version of the Charter is also being developed, while regular “You Said, We Did” updates will be published to show the difference resident feedback is making to council decisions.

Councillor Sarah Addenbrooke, lead member for communities, said:
‘We are grateful to everyone who gave and continues to give their time and insight. Your feedback makes it clear that trust, transparency and real partnership must be at the heart of how we work. This is the foundation of our campaign Your Community, Your Voice – and the next phase of our Charter will be shaped with you, not just for you.
‘I attended the first co-design session with our panel and the enthusiasm and commitment to helping us get this right was evident in the room. I’m excited to see an updated Charter that reflects the need for early involvement, clearer communication, and more inclusive engagement.’

The full consultation report is available on the council’s Consultation and Engagement Hub here.