Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy

1. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Community Engagement Best Practice Stephen Thorne Head of Service

2. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy A trip down memory lane! An independent report into the control of development at the Borough of Poole Sir Michael Pitt February 2009

3. Key issues Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy That certain parts of the community did not consider they were being listened to Strong views and actions continued to undermine and damage the good reputation of the council That communication in certain areas had broken down

4. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Recommendation 2. Senior members and officers should redouble efforts to explain council policy and reasons for advice and decisions.

5. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Quick fixes:- Planning Charter Local Engagement Forum Member Engagement Forum Pre-application advice available on line to the public Ward Walks Newsletter Planning Website improved Tour of Inspection - quality Control

6. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy • The big issues Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Key issues that had to be overcome Mistrust Lack of understanding of the planning process Poor communication in some areas Access to the top tiers of management

7. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Communication Before you can communicate you need to know who your target audience is Then you need to engage Build up trust And then you can communicate

8. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Target audiences identified • Residents Associations and other Community Groups • Agents and Developers • The Business’s within Poole • Arboriculturalists

9. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Led to the formation of Community Working Group Agents and Developers Working Group Business Working Group Arboricultural Working Group

10. Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy Feedback “It is important to note that we have progressed since Stephen Thorne came here and the interaction between us is very positive” Comment by Ken Bearcroft President of Parkstone Bay Association, 2011 “Interesting, informative and worthwhile... Progress on improved communication and understanding, improved dialogue, building trust” Summary of Community Working Group in Presentation by Bill Constance, 2012

11. Community Working Group (CWG) Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy In some ways the success story • Terms of reference established • Refresh of the group – aim for 50% over a two year period at the AGM • Agenda items freely taken and specifically individual issues of angst • The item is debated • Minutes taken • Uploaded onto the web and emailed to the group

12. 3 years on – The good Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy • The establishment of a forum that allows free discussion • A mutual respect for each others position • An acknowledgment that they are getting face time with the Head of Service • Disagreement on some issues within the group • An understanding that we do a difficult job in difficult circumstances.

13. 3 years on – The not so good Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy • Still a lack of understanding; • of the complexities of the planning process • and the big picture • An expectation that their view is the right one and at times we are still not listening • Trying to use the CWG as a conduit into other areas of the council

14. 3 years plus Planning and Regeneration Services inc. Building Consultancy • Localism Act 2011 • Change of emphasis to Community Rights • The implications of Neighbourhood Forums and Neighbourhood Plans • Community Rights to build • Community Rights to challenge