Getting involved in a way that suits you

Community Engagement Team Methods of Involvement

Service Improvement Team - a team of customers who meet every 6 to12 weeks with council officers to discuss improvements to a particular service area.

Residents’ Association -a group of like minded residents who work together to better their local area and build community spirit.

Mystery Shopping – a group of customers who test the service in a variety of ways, these include visiting reception areas and phoning various council sections.

Discussion Groups – usually a one off meeting lasting around 2 hours; 6 -10 customers are asked for views and opinions on a specific area of council service.

Editorial Panel – customers who meet regularly to have an input on content of newsletters, they sometimes write articles or carry out interviews.

Website Working Group – test and suggest improvements to the lay-out and content of the council’s website. The group meet approximately every 8 weeks.

Equality Panel – a panel of residents who meet every 12 weeks to discuss issues from a Black and Minority Ethnic perspective.

Reading Panels – documents such as leaflets, posters and policies are sent to your home for you to read and comment on.

Young Person’s Panel – residents aged between 18 and 24 years of age who meet every 12 weeks to discuss a wide range of issues from a younger persons’ perspective.

Older Person’s Panel – customers aged 55 and over who meet every 12 weeks to discuss a wide range of issues from an older persons’ perspective.

Telephone Survey Panel – you will be called over the phone to answer a short questionnaire usually once or twice a year.

Questionnaire / Survey – you will be sent a questionnaire through the post that you can fill in and return to us in a freepost envelope or undertake a doorstep survey.

Complaints Panel – a group of customers who meet with a senior officer to investigate dissatisfied customer service complaints.

Estate Walks – customers can accompany council staff when they carry out estate/street checks.

Customer training

All customer representatives taking part in a service improvement team and mystery shopping sessions have received training in equal opportunities and data protection. In addition to this a training programme is available. This programme gives anyone wishing to be involved further skills to do so.

Out of pocket expenses

To help you to be involved we will pay out of pocket expenses including childcare, transport, parking and mileage.

If you want to find out more about any of the above methods of involvement contact the Community Engagement Team on 01782 236300.