The Power of Well Being: Statement of Intent Community Strategy

North Hykeham Town Council will continue to consult residents in a variety of appropriate ways in order that it may both achieve a greater knowledge of their hopes and aspirations for the present and future of the town's citizens and also encourage, enable and enpower residents to take an active role in deciding the well-being of the Town.

The Council will engage proactively with individual residents and with representatives of the groups, clubs and organisations within the neighbourhood, seeking to encompass people of both genders and all ages and those with particular needs, whilst actively seeking out groups and individuals with whom it has little contact at present.

The council will continue to pursue its engagement with the local communities, recreation facility providers and local charities and trusts. It will achieve this through: its meetings of the Community Liaison Committee; by encouraging the public to visit the Civic Offices; by seeking the opinions of those we meet by chance and by one-off consultation events on seemingly controversial matters.

The Council will continue to actively engage public opinion through its work with the Youth Council, SkatePark Committee, Railway Improvement Working Party and the Town Plan and will set up other sub committees and working parties where members of the public may address those matters considered to be of interest in the future.

The Council will share information and make public its decisions through its Notice Boards, the Gazette, its website, its annual report and the local library. It will actively encourage response through surveys i.e. the Town Plan and by sponsoring Council Open days, such as its Annual Nativity event. It will set up a web discussion forum and a Facebook account to encourage response from younger residents.

Members of the public who represent special interest groups within the town will continue to be invited to attend Community Liaison Committee meetings and the Cluster meetings and express opinions to which the Council give heed.

Each meeting of council sets aside 15minutes before the meeting when residents are encouraged to adrress members on any matter.

Whilst the council acknowledges  that it is unable to proscribe a specific role for individual members and accepts that not all members have the same abilities, gifts and skills, those members who are able to do so will be encouraged and supprted to engage with the public in an open and friendly manner in order that the residents will know that their input is invaluable and that the Council is approachable.

The Council is already aware of the public regard for its officers who  invariably conduct business in a friendly, discreet and sympathetic manner.

The Council will continue to make public contact details of its members and officers; members will be encouraged to see their role as serving the community and not in serving the interests of a particular set, political party, or self.