Mark Lowe, Scrutiny and Improvement Officer, Adur and Worthing Councils

1. Communities in Control – South East Employers Workshop 25 November 2008Community Engagement in Worthing – Scrutiny Review - 2008 Mark Lowe, Scrutiny and Improvement Officer, Adur and Worthing Councils

2. Scope of the Scrutiny Review Review undertaken by a 5 Member Scrutiny Panel:- • To examine how well the Council was communicating and engaging with its customers • To assess the effectiveness of the current arrangements • To identify ways in which the Council could better engage and consult with its customers in the future • To examine options for a Citizens Panel

3. Who was consulted Consultation meetings were held with:- • Residents/Residents’ Associations and Community Associations • The Voluntary Sector • The Worthing Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership • The Worthing Local Strategic Partnership • The Youth Council • Worthing Access and Mobility Group • Staff • Members

4. Key Findings from the Review • The Council should have a dedicated officer responsible for community engagement • The Council should introduce a Citizens Panel • The Council should have a comprehensive community engagement strategy • Engagement with young people was not good • There was a need to involve the community in the Scrutiny and other decision making processes

5. Proposals for Improved Community Engagement Community Engagement Review Action Plan produced which includes a ‘Toolbox’ of different ways for engaging with our communities. These include:- • The introduction of a Citizens Panel in 2008/09 • The creation of a dedicated Lead Officer responsible for community engagement and consultation • That the Council consider the introduction of a ‘State of the Borough Debate’ to encourage more involvement of the public

6. Proposals for Improved Community Engagement • That the Overview and Scrutiny function be recognised as a key feature in improving community engagement • A community engagement strategy be produced to help the Council improve its engagement with the community

7. The Way Forward • The Cabinet agreed with the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Review and funding allocated for a Citizens Panel in 2008/9 • The Leader has set up a Community Engagement Task Force • All actions from the Scrutiny Review set to be implemented during 2008 – 2010 • Implementation of the recommendations will be monitored using the Covalent Performance Management System

8. What the Scrutiny Review achieved • It raised the profile of the Scrutiny process in the community and helped with public/community engagement • It assisted the Council in being more focused upon community consultation and engagement • It will enable the Council to monitor customer satisfaction on the provision of its services once all the recommendations are implemented • The recommendations from the review will lead to more use of the Scrutiny process and engage the public in Scrutiny

9. Challenges • ‘Hard to reach’ groups • Engaging young people –Youth Champion • Engaging others in community action • Issues of diversity and human rights • Using resources imaginatively

10. QUESTIONS?