Consultation and engagement

Consultation and engagement encourage better decision making and problem-solving as well as providing an opportunity to hear new ideas and different voices. The Community Engagement Framework includes four principles of engagement, namely that it should be:

• inclusive
• co-ordinated
• collaborative
• meaningful

The relevance and success of this strategy involves a wide range of key stakeholders across Cumberland Council’s local communities, and there has been a series of engagement and consultation activities over several months. Consultation began during the development of the housing studies when consultants met with several community panels and presented a mid-point review of emerging findings to key stakeholders.

Consultation on the draft priorities in this Housing Strategy has been undertaken through a range of methods, and amendments have been made as feedback has been received: 

• staff engagement events
• directorate team, portfolio holders, and housing lead officers briefing sessions
• stakeholder engagement event, including developers, registered providers, government funders, neighbouring councils, Lake District National Park, NHS
• formal stakeholder consultation
• public consultation (online survey)
• Cumberland Council elected members
• community panels
• members of the Cumbria Housing Supply Group