Torbay Council’s mission is to be a Council that works with its residents, communities and partnerships - a council that supports, enables and empowers.  The Council has developed a draft Community Engagement and Empowerment Strategy and needs your views. In the Strategy the Council commits to working differently. They pledge: 

• We will embrace a spirit of cooperation and partnership with the people, businesses and organisations in Torbay and those outside Torbay which affect our lives.

• We will build trusted relationships with our communities

       o  The Cabinet will talk and listen to anyone and everyone
       o  Ward councillors will be community champions
       o  We will facilitate and work with our communities to design
           and deliver services and to support one another.

• We will have continuing conversations and relationships with our communities.

• We will celebrate Torbay together.

The TCDT is helping solicit feedback on this Strategy. We value your opinion and welcome your feedback through this summary survey. This should only take 5-10 minutes. If you would like to feedback in more detail please click here https://www.torbay.gov.uk/ceaes to complete the Council’s full survey.

The Council recognises that they have a lot of work to do, but are committed to changing how they work – moving up Torbay’s ladder of participation.

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* 1. Keep you informed

The Council pledges:

Commitments

We will be open and honest and timely in our communication

Actions
  • We will review and improve the Council's website.
  • We will maximise the effectiveness of social media,  encourage councillors and senior officers to join the conversation.
  • We will ensure that communication between Council departments is effective.

How is important is this to you? 

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* 2. Ask what you think

The Council pledges:

Commitments 

We will listen, understand, remember, evaluate and feedback to you. We will ensure that our consultation is based on genuine exchange of views that will influence decisions, policies or programmes of action.

Actions
  • We will agree  with you on what we consult on the start of each year.
  • The Cabinet will hold at least three Cabinet Conversations each year and will host an annual Community Conference.
  • There will be regular Ask Us Events online or in venues across Torbay.

How important is this to you?

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* 3. Decide Together

The Council pledges:

Commitments

We will ensure that people are given the opportunity to play an active role by shaping the future of services which may affect them and we will be realistic about our limitations and the need for the council to use reducing resources to best effect.

Actions
  • We will increase opportunities for you to design services with us and to take responsibility where possible.
  • We will provide feedback outlining how your contributions have influenced decisions.

How important is this to you?

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* 4. Act together

The Council pledges:

Commitments 

We will encourage and support our communities in order to bring about positive change for the good of the whole area.

Actions
  • We will provide a senior officer to each neighbourhood to support councillors in delivering local solutions. 
  • We will work to engage young people in the work of the Council, including through schools, colleges and sports groups.
  • We will strengthen the connections between housing providers and the community.
  • We will support capacity building for key community groups and encourage community weekends, festivals and other events

How important is this to you?

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* 5. Support independent community initiatives

The Council pledges:

Commitments 

We will enable you to do what you want to do in your community, whilst maintaining a duty of care and our legal requirements. 

Actions
  • We will work to establish a "space"  - potentially as part of www.torbaytogether.org.uk - to celebrate success and connect like-minded individuals who want to improve their neighbourhood.
  • We will establish a Community Enablement Fund to provide seed funding for community action.
  • We will work with the Torbay Community Trust (TCDT), Torbay Community Builders and others to enable community action and support people who want to volunteer in Torbay.
  • We will empower our staff to be more flexible and responsive in engaging with the public and communities, and encourage them to volunteer and share their expertise.

How important is this to you?

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* 6. Please could we take your postcode

Thank you for giving your views. This information will be shared with Torbay Council to help inform the final strategy approval and delivery plan for their Engagement & Empowerment Strategy. The final strategy is scheduled to be ratified in January 2021 and the accompanying delivery plan will begin in 2020.

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