Community Participation Charter launched by Westminster Council
Westminster City Council has announced the launch of the Community Participation Charter as part of its “commitment to build a Fairer Westminster.” The charter sets out the council’s “shared principles to enable genuine and meaningful participation, engagement, and decision-making with the communities” of the borough.
Co-produced with residents, the Community Participation Charter will hold the council to account, ensuring that it is resident led in its approach to service delivery and that the council delivers high standards in how it works with the community to shape its services.
The design of the Community Participation Charter was a collaborative effort where over 150 residents and staff from every council department were engaged, ensuring residents’ input can be implemented across all the borough’s services.
Residents contributed to the charter at community events, pop-up stalls and through a survey. They continued to be involved throughout the charter’s design and refinement, resulting in the finalised version.
Key priorities shared by residents contributed to the five charter principles that guide the promises and success measures set out. The principles are Transparency, Accessibility, Empathy, Inclusivity and Accountability.
The council says it will regularly review performance against the Community Participation Charter and inform residents of progress annually.
“As part of our commitment to building a Fairer Westminster,” Councillor Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, said, “one in which every resident is listened to, we have worked with of residents across the city to co-produce this Charter which sets out commitments about how the Council will work for our communities in a more open, transparent and accessible way. I’m grateful to over 150 residents and council staff who contributed to the process of writing the charter. No matter your issue, no matter your background or identity, you should be able to contact the Council and be treated fairly and with respect. The Charter outlines exactly how we will do this.”
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