Community Engagement

A Council that listens…

What is the Purpose?

Community Engagement

A Council that listens…

What is the Purpose?

Community Engagement

A Council that listens…

What is the Purpose?

What is Community Engagement?

Community engagement is the way we involve local people in conversations about the things that affect them. It helps us understand community needs, hear different views and make better decisions together.

We often frame our engagement by way of community conversations to ensure it is welcoming and reflects the importance of listening as well as sharing information. These conversations help us build trust, strengthen relationships and make sure local voices are heard..

Local councils are closest to people and places. They have the power to listen, the duty to act and the ability to make impactful change.

*Stakeholders refer to anyone in the community of Weston-super-Mare, such as organisations, community groups and local experts who may not be considered as residents, staff or councillors.*

What is Community Engagement?

Community engagement is the way we involve local people in conversations about the things that affect them. It helps us understand community needs, hear different views and make better decisions together.

We like to refer to our engagement as community conversations to ensure it is welcoming and reflects the importance of listening, as well as sharing information. These conversations help us build trust, strengthen relationships and make sure local voices are heard.

*Stakeholders refer to anyone in the community of Weston-super-Mare, such as organisations, community groups and local experts who may not be considered as residents, staff or councillors.*

*Stakeholders refer to anyone in the community of Weston-super-Mare, such as organisations, community groups and local experts who may not be considered as residents, staff or councillors.*

Did you know?

Our Town Council Strategy was developed through community conversations and helps guide our services in a way that reflects local priorities, values and aspirations.

Our Approach

Our approach is based on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). In simple terms, this means we start by understanding the strengths that already exist in our communities — the people, groups, skills, ideas, places and relationships that make Weston a great place to live.

Instead of focusing on what is missing or what needs fixing, we focus on listening, building relationships and working alongside residents to support the things that are already working well. By recognising and connecting local strengths and community assets, we aim to enable people to come together, share ideas, build confidence and create positive change that lasts and shapes outcomes. To view examples, please see our previous community conversations.

What is in it for me? Why should be I involved?

Community conversations are a way to make your voice heard and help shape the things that affect everyday life in Weston. Whether you share an idea, raise a concern or simply join the discussion, your input can help create positive local change.

We can come to you!

If you’re part of a group or organisation that we should know about, we’d love to hear from you!

We welcome opportunities to get out into the community to:

• Listen and learn

• Hear about what you do

• Share what the Town Council does

• Build relationships before decisions are made

Whether you have a specific engagement request, want us to come and hear about your work, or simply want to know more about what we do, please get in touch by emailing our development team.

What is in it for me? Why should be I involved?

Community conversations are a way to make your voice heard and help shape the things that affect everyday life in Weston. Whether you share an idea, raise a concern or simply join the discussion, your input can help create positive local change.

We can come to you!

If you’re part of a group or organisation that we should know about, we’d love to hear from you!

We welcome opportunities to get out into the community to:

• Listen and learn

• Hear about what you do

• Share what the Town Council does

• Build relationships before decisions are made

Whether you have a specific engagement request, want us to come and hear about your work, or simply want to know more about what we do, please get in touch by emailing our development team.

Community In Action

Based on a framework designed and developed by Alison Gilchrist and Our Neighbourhood April 2020

Values of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. It is about taking positive action to form and maintain a culture which recognises differences between people and ensuring equality of opportunity whilst recognising diverse needs. It is also about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

A shared belief that the community or group is able to influence decisions that affect what happens in the area and to make things happen through its own efforts. It is about the confidence and loyalty that community members have in themselves and each other, and in their trust that local organisations will act in the interests or on behalf on the whole community.

Combined knowledge, skills, energy and shared resources so that members of the community can independently establish and maintain projects, activities and locally-run organisations.

Including the level of people’s willingness to volunteer to help run and manage small-scale initiatives, as well as those able to take on leadership positions, such as representing residents on wider forums or steering campaigns.

Reflects the patterns (density and extent) as well as the quality of informal relationships, contacts and formal links between individuals, groups and organisations within the neighbourhoods.

It is also about the networks of connections that cross the social and geographic boundaries between local residents and agencies based outside the area.

Refers to the willingness and opportunities within the communities to work together on joint projects or in ways that provide complementary services and activities.

It reflects improved co-operation and better co-ordination, and a decrease in unhelpful competition and unresolved conflicts.

The ability or resourcefulness of communities to respond positively to change and disruption. It is about recovery and creativity, requiring flexibility and persistence rather than rigidity. It shows that communities are able to adapt and evolve new ways of operating by adjusting activities, modifying expectations or changing course to set alternative goals and strategies for reaching them.

March 2021 – The Council adopted the 6 Community Outcomes

During COVID-19, communities across Weston showed extraordinary resilience, kindness and collaboration. The six Community Outcomes reflect the power of people coming together to support one another and shape positive change.

Our Plan – Understanding Outcomes

  • Understand what we are trying to achieve and what is important
  • How will we do this

Engagement Outcomes 2026/2027

1st April 2026 – 30th June 2026

How do we know our conversations are helping?

The Council has adopted six Community Outcomes to help see the difference community conversations make. Hover over the icons next to each outcome to find out more about the outcomes that have been achieved in our communities so far this year.

How do we know our conversations are helping?

The Council has adopted six Community Outcome to help see the difference community conversations make. Click on the icons next to each outcome to find out more about the outcomes that have been achieved in our communities so far this year.

Engagement Outcomes 2026/2027

1st April 2026 – 30th June 2026

Turning Conversations into Action

Explore insights from past community conversations.

Join the conversations happening in the community today.

Quick answers to common community questions.

Stay up to date with the latest developments, decisions and progress on devolution in Weston-super-Mare.

Have your say and help shape the future of Weston-super-Mare by sharing your views and getting involved.

Find clear answers to common questions about what devolution means or you and our community.