What is community engagement?

Community Engagement is about involving the community in decision making.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

• Pro-actively seeks out community values, concerns and aspirations • Incorporating those values, concerns and aspirations into a decisionmaking process

All Councils are required to prepare a Community Engagement Strategy (CES). Our CES supports the development of all our plans, policies, programs and key activities. Our engagement strategy and activities are exhibited and endorsed by the Council. Community engagement allows us to make informed and sustainable decisions that will have community buy-in and support.

The creation of our Community Strategic Plan, ‘The Clarence 2032’ has been driven by effective community engagement. We are committed to continuous improvement and ensuring our engagement creates accurate and relevant Council decisions.

As an Elected Body and Organisation, we work together with the community to achieve common goals through genuine relationships built on trust, goodwill and respect. While it does not replace the final decision-making power of the elected members of the Council, community engagement is considered invaluable in its ability to inform the Clarence Valley Council decision-making process, ensuring that the final decisions made by the Council are equitable, sustainable, and well-informed.