What we will do: aims and objectives
Involve residents and stakeholders to play an active role in shaping policies and services
Engage early when proposals are at a formative stage
- involve people while proposals and plans are still being shaped
- allow sufficient time for responses, considering urgency, timing and impact
Offer real opportunities to influence decisions
- provide a range of options, wherever possible, and explain preferred choices
- provide balanced, accessible information so you can give informed responses
- make clear what can and cannot be influenced
- share decision-making timelines and who is responsible
Ensure engagement is accessible and encourages meaningful involvement from all parts of the community
Make sure everyone knows when and how they can get involved
- promote opportunities widely using different methods and community networks
- make sure people affected by the plans know about them
Make participation easy and inclusive
- use different ways to collect and understand your views
- provide formats that suit different needs, like easy-read or other languages when needed
- design engagement methods with regard for inclusivity
- choose accessible engagement event venues
Expand reach and depth of engagement
- target underrepresented groups and diverse communities
- work with local councils and community organisations to reach diverse voices
- monitor participation to identify gaps and improve representation
Build trust and accountability by working with communities in open and transparent ways
Communicate purpose, process and impact clearly
- explain why engagement is happening and what can be influenced
- share relevant information without distortion or omission
- show how feedback shapes decisions
Provide timely feedback and learning
- publish results within 12 weeks or explain delays
- share findings with participants and the wider public
- use lessons learned to improve future engagement practice
Ensure engagement is consistently high-quality and legally compliant
Support staff with expert guidance and coordinated planning
- provide templates, training and advice for effective engagement
- review plans before launch to ensure fairness and compliance
- approve engagement activities before publishing on letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk
- coordinate activity across departments and partners
Handle data responsibly and lawfully
- process personal data in line with legal requirements
- analyse responses carefully and without bias
- consider all findings before making decisions
- be clear if we have used AI to analyse any part of the feedback received