Community Engagement
Community Councils are required to attempt to engage with a wide range of people to create a diversity of perspectives and insights. Engaging with a broad range of residents will make the UTCC a better representative of the community and make residents, other local communities and the local authorities more likely to work with and listen to us. Engaging community members in making decisions is also likely to make us more proactive about identifying and addressing the community’s needs. Engagement can range from providing information about current work or projects, to consulting on particular issues, to full empowerment whereby the community has decision-making powers. More information on what you can expect from your community council can be found HERE.
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Engagement needs to work both ways. The UTCC is run by volunteers who have limited time. It is important that residents engage with the UTCC and help us to help make the community stronger.
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Community Plan
In 2018, the UTCC produced a community plan 'A Vision for Broughton' with the intention of outlining community priorities. The Plan was published in early 2019. These priorities identified were through consultation with community members via discussions, surveys and meetings that went into producing the plan.
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While only produced a relatively short time ago, much has changed since the publication of the plan. Some for the better, some for the worse. The community has acquired Broughton Village Store and, under the stewardship of Jen McBeth, it has become both a viable community enterprise and an essential part of the community. The school, sadly, has seen an approximate 50% reduction in teaching staff and pupil numbers over the last few years. The community place plan offers residents the chance to reflect on what has been identified before and assess if it is still suitable.
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Important consultation processes that residents can engage with include the local development plan and community place plan. Both provide residents with the opportunity to voice their opinions on how land should be used and where land should be allocated for potential future housing development.
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