Involve, inform and consult
Projects | Devonport Community Involvement Feasibility Study
The study focussed on the housing sector, and was undertaken on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Housing Association and Sovereign Housing Association. It employed a highly participative process, involving social housing providers, local community organisations and local residents.
The Study was required because of uncertainty among housing providers about the best ways to consult their tenants. Despite a long history of community involvement in Devonport, there was concern about an apparently falling off in the participation, and a lack of clarity about how local people wanted to be involved.
Other issues identified in the course of the study were: the large number of social landlords in Devonport; significant organisational changes particularly the transfer of Council housing to Plymouth Community Homes; and the changing tenure mix in the area. The Study also considered other key involvement processes, particularly those of Plymouth City Council and Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership.
The Study with recommendations on the way forward and the results of the residents’ survey will shortly be available on this website.
A key aim was to ensure that local people and key stakeholders were involved at all stages of the study, and that the end result reflected their views. This was done by:
- Use of structured interviews with social landlords and other key stakeholders at the initial review stage;
- A consensus building process with the social landlords operating in Devonport to agree a common approach, and gain commitment to the recommendations and action plan;
- Establishment of a residents’ sounding board to comment on key elements of the process;
- Visits to local residents’ groups to provide information about the study and get feedback on involvement processes in Devonport; and
- A formal survey of 500 resident.
A commitment by the social landlords and other key stakeholders in Devonport to a common approach to community involvement in Devonport
A clear understanding of how local people want to be involved and recommendations on how this can be achieved.
Gerard Couper
01364 653003
gc@cagconsult.co.uk
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