Community Engagement Policy
Consultation has concluded
We're inviting community members to have their say and help develop Council's new Community Engagement Policy.
The Community Engagement Policy outlines our commitment to provide the community with genuine opportunities to contribute to and inform projects, strategies, services and decisions that affect them.
The intent of this policy is to provide clarity about how Council will fulfil its commitment to engaging with the community in line with the Local Government Act 2020.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the draft Policy and how Council can improve the way in which we undertake engagement activities.
How You Can Be Involved
You can review the DRAFT Community Engagement Policy and leave your feedback below. Consultation is open until close of business 22 January 2021.
Alternatively, you can email your feedback to council@mansfield.vic.gov.au or deliver a written submission via post or in person.
Hard copies of the DRAFT Policy are available to viewed at the Mansfield Library and Council reception.
We know with the holiday period, the timing of this consultation isn't ideal. Unfortunately we are constrained by the need to adopt the policy by 1 March 2021 in line with the Act, and were unable to commence consultation until after the Council election period.
How we will use your feedback
Your feedback will be used to inform further development of the Policy prior to its adoption at the Ordinary Meeting of Council in February.
Once adopted, the Policy will form a key part of the Community Engagement Framework which will include guidelines and a toolkit to assist Council staff to undertake engagement activities.
Feedback from this engagement will also be used to help us develop this framework and ensure our engagement activities meet the needs of our community.
DRAFT Community Engagement Policy
Who's Listening
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Phone 03 5775 8562 Email keira.mcdonagh@mansfield.vic.gov.au
The Community Engagement Policy is a comprehensive document. There are issues that could be clarified however, including how "engagement" is to be applied. I am not seeing reference to personal, face to face discussion, or public forums to discuss issues and arrive at outcomes. The word "Engagement" by definition means a two way dialogue so simply expecting residents rate payers and other interested parties to fill in web based surveys cannot be regarded as engagement.
It is interesting to see reference to timely notification and I would presume that this includes a reasonable time to respond.
In the process, "execution" Step 5 must mean 'people' involvement in feedback and discussion, not simply creating a survey to be completed. Web based surveys are not satisfactory for a large part of the community and I believe engagement levels will be very low - as has happened in the past.
Under "Definitions", engagement does not merely mean a level of 'connection' but a two way dialogue whereby the proponent may reasonably gather feedback through discussion and ongoing communication. It is a pledge to listen, analyse and act.
"Consultation" requires interpersonal dialogue. In seeking input in any matter it is not 'consultation' or 'engagement' nor is it appropriate to simply design a web based survey that is exclusive (reverse of inclusive) with wording that is designed to reach a pre-determined outcome. This generally creates bad feeling if respondents feel they are being coerced into supporting something for which an outcome has already been determined.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Second line typo - ...Management, AND employees, are to be familiar with and competent .... (move and)
Thank you for the opportunity to review the DRAFT community engagement policy.
I appreciate the section of the policy that is looking to work towards a model of empowerment when working with the community. I think that the aspiration is lofty given the complexities of working with and for a community, but this creates opportunities to monitor and reflect upon any engagement strategy.