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Appendix B - 2015-16 Action Plan
We measure progress towards a number of communication and engagement objectives as set in appendix 2.
The actions we will take to achieve these objectives are listed below, along with actions to improve communication with councillors following the transfer to the council’s new committee system in 2015-16.
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Objective - Satisfaction with local area as a place to live |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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Engage with residents to identify residents’ needs and aspirations for the new homes bonus and community infrastructure levy. |
A targeted approach to the distribution of these resources. |
Head of Planning and Development
Communications Manager
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2015 |
Engage |
Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all |
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Help people understand and actively engage in local issues and opportunities through community forums such as - Maidstone Older Person’s Forum, Disability Focus Group and BME Forum.
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People involved in local policy and decision making.
Improved networking, collaboration and partnership between the voluntary and community sector and agencies building their organisational capacities.
Better community cohesion and equality of opportunity for all throughout the Maidstone borough.
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Head of Housing and Community Services |
Annually |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Objective – Trust the council |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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Develop a plan to communicate funding issues and their implications to residents.
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Increased awareness and understanding of new commercial activities. |
Head of Policy and Communications |
September 2015 |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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Communicate changes to governance arrangements to ensure residents understand how they can get involved in decision-making. |
Increased awareness and participation by residents in council decision making. |
Head of Policy and Communications |
June 2015 |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Regular feedback on the results of consultations on our website and through other channels as appropriate.
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Increased trust among residents that consultation results are taken into account and do influence decision making.
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Head of Policy and Communications |
On-going |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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Objective - Residents can influence decisions affecting their local area |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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Rollout an online Events Toolkit to support local community events and activities.
Provide training events and workshops such as Community Participatory Appraisal and Planning for Real neighbourhood engagement.
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Individuals and communities empowered and more resilient through training, information, advice and support.
Increased confidence, skills, knowledge and ability to participate in community life, engage with services, local decision-making and democratic processes and take action for themselves.
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Head of Housing and Community Services |
Annually |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Develop ways in which residents can have their say and influence the Council’s new decision making process including the opportunity for regular dialogue and engagement. |
Greater participation by residents in council decision making. |
Head of Policy and Communications
Head of Finance and Resources
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June – July 2015 |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Participation in Democracy Week 2015 |
Raised awareness of the opportunities residents have to take part in council decision making.
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Head of Finance and Resources
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October 2015 |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Seminars and training in community engagement for staff and councillors. |
More councillors and staff running community engagement events for their communities and service areas. |
Head of HR Shared Services
Head of Housing and Community Services
Head of Finance and Resources
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Annually |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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To partner with the community in decision making with neighbourhood action planning in Maidstone’s areas of deprivation to involve community groups, residents and public organisations working together to tackle neighbourhood issues. |
Communities have an input into addressing health, housing and wellbeing issues in their localities.
Consultation and decision-making placed in the hands of the community.
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Head of Housing and Community Services |
Annually |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Identify hard to reach groups and develop effective means of engaging with them, working with our partners when appropriate to ensure our communications and engagements are inclusive.
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More representative samples from council consultations and greater participation in council engagement activities.
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Head of Policy and Communications
Head of Housing and Community Services
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Review April – June annually |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Putting People First |
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Objective - People from different backgrounds get on well together |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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Develop a guide to communities across the borough containing data about communication preferences and other information available through sources such as Mosaic and Acorn to better target communications.
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Improved targeting of information and engagement activities so that people receive the information most relevant to them, improving their engagement with and trust in the council.
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Head of Policy and Communications |
April 2015 – March 2016 |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Objective - Satisfaction with the way Maidstone Borough Council runs it services |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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You Said… We Did quarterly campaigns/information. |
Increased trust in the council.
Staff and residents more informed about services and changes made as a result of customer/staff feedback.
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Head of Policy and Communications
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2015-2016 |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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Produce Annual Report on the council’s progress towards achieving its strategic plan priorities.
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Increased trust in the council.
Greater understanding of the council’s strategic priorities |
Head of Policy and Communications
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A consistent and memorable corporate identity on all front facing services. |
Increased trust in the council.
Greater understanding of how council tax is spent, demonstrating value for money.
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Head of Policy and Communications
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Inform |
Putting People First |
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Objective – Information about the council services and benefits |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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A review of our external communications channels including our newsletter and social networking accounts.
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More effective communication and better value for money. |
Head of Policy and Communications
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July – September 2015 |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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A new Social media Strategy, building on our policy for social networking accounts.
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Clear direction for the council’s use of social media to make sure that it effectively contributes to the council’s priorities
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Head of Policy and Communications
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April – June 2015 |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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‘Our day’ social media campaigns highlighting council services. |
Increased awareness of council services, improving trust and understanding of how council tax is spent.
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Head of Policy and Communications
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Quarterly |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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Working for you features in our newsletter and social media. |
Increased awareness of council services, improving trust and understanding of how council tax is spent.
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Head of Policy and Communications
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Each issue |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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Objective - Value for money |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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Annual budget consultation for residents and staff including value for money information and report. |
Increased understanding of how council tax is spent, improving trust in the council and belief that it provides value for money. |
Head of Policy and Communications
Head of Finance and Resources
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October – January Annually |
Consult/ Inform |
Putting People First |
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Annual Council tax publicity – value of services provided. |
Increased understanding of how council tax is spent, improving trust in the council and belief that it provides value for money.
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Head of Policy and Communications
Head of Finance and Resources
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April annually |
Inform |
Putting People First |
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Objective - Employee engagement |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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An annual One Council rhythm of the year programme of co-ordinated staff communication and engagement activities including - One Council briefings, Core Brief, team talks, Staff Forum, health and wellbeing week, and STRIVE awards etc.
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Increased employee engagement leading to better understanding of the council’s strategic plan and priorities. |
Head of Policy and Communications
Head of HR Shared Service
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Annually |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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Objective – Improve communication with councillors |
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What we plan to do |
Anticipated Outcomes |
By whom |
When |
Inform/ Consult/ Engage |
Strategic Priority |
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Support councillors to raise their profiles in their local areas to lead their communities and bring forward ideas to the council. |
Improved resident engagement with the council. |
Councillors
Head of Policy and Communications
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Annually |
Engage |
Putting People First |
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