Working with Communities
This Council Plan sets out the framework for the decisions we will make until March 2027 as we drive forward on delivering our priorities. However, we know this council is your council and we are determined to find new ways to work in partnership, listening to and learning from our residents, businesses, communities, partners and employees.
It is only by working together that we can achieve our vision and bring the city together as one city, so everyone can share in the strengths and success of the city.
There are several ways we will work with you over the next 4 years:
Working in partnership
The regional landscape has changed, and with it, there are different local and regional partnerships to strengthen. Different partnerships help steer delivery of the Council Plan. We are grateful that partners willingly provide expertise about what it’s like to run businesses or deliver services in the city.
These partnerships might be strategic and take a system-wide look at what’s important, or statutory and are required to support the council. They might also be operational dealing with a specific aspect of how the council functions.
Learning from community groups, listening to residents
We know that the experience of living in the city is not shared - it can feel very different depending on where residents live or their own circumstances. We are keen to continue to listen and learn from different community groups so we can make a positive difference to everyone who lives in the city.
We will work with partners to hear from the communities they represent, for example, the anti-racist strategy shared the lived experience of the Black, Asian and Racially Minoritised Communities in York, the Poverty Truth Commission is sharing the lived experience of what it feels like to be financially excluded in the city.
The council, the community and voluntary sector, and multi-faith groups, together with residents themselves, form different groups that represent different perspectives, sharing the experience of different aspects of life in the city to influence change and social action. Interacting with and listening to these groups gives residents and communities the opportunity to influence policy direction and get involved in developing processes when their lives are affected or impacted positively or negatively by a proposal.
Get involved
Our Big Conversation
When we start to develop strategies or action plans that address challenges across the city, we will involve community groups and residents to co-design proposals and provide feedback through surveys, polls or engagement events or focus groups. Visit: Our Big Conversation
Talkabout is York’s citizens’ panel
Panellists are asked to take part in online resident satisfaction surveys and gives long-term insights into how views are changing. The main survey currently runs twice a year asking for views on topics including life in York, your local area, problems you face as well as your opinions on different services delivered by the council. Talkabout panellists are also invited by other council departments to take part in consultations on other aspects of council services and policy. We are really keen to ensure the Talkabout Panel represents the communities we serve and would love to hear from you by inviting you to join the panel. Visit: Talk About
Take an active role in local democracy
It’s really important that residents, businesses, and stakeholders have the opportunity to participate in decision-making and take an active role in local democracy. Anybody can attend and view the council's public meetings which are webcast on the council’s YouTube channel. Subject to availability, you can arrange to speak at a council meeting by submitting a request two days in advance of the meeting you’d like to speak at. Have your say: attend meetings; find which council meetings are happening and when. You can speak with your local councillor if you wish to raise concerns or issues on items for consideration at meetings; find the contact details of your local councillor.
eNewsletters
We provide a weekly e-newsletter; subscribe for email updates so you can easily keep up to date with all the latest news, including finding out how to get involved in improving customer experience or developing ideas to solve difficult issues.
