The research considers how effectively LSPs have involved more and different people in developing priorities for, and governance of, local services. It explores the challenges and difficulties encountered in getting involved, and the personal economic and social costs and benefits to participants.

It also examines the value of community involvement in partnership working from a range of perspectives. Drawing on the words and experiences of participants, the report offers a number of practical suggestions to policy makers and practitioners on how to maximise the value of community engagement.

One of the Government’s explicit aims when they introduced LSPs was to enable more and different people to become involved in the development of priorities for local services, as well as in their continuing governance. This report considers how effectively LSPs are meeting these objectives.

The report is the result of in-depth interviews with a range of people currently involved in LSPs (including elected representatives, service providers and community representatives).

The single most valuable outcome of community involvement in governance through LSPs identified by participants was the creation of bridging links between service providers and the communities they serve.

These links enable local area, interest or faith group representatives to access senior managers and policy makers, and inform them of directly experienced impacts of decisions they are making.

Community representatives also argued that their presence at the table enables a range of other interactions that produce ‘little changes that really affect people’s lives’. Practical suggestions on maximising the value of community engagement are offered to policy makers and practitioners.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
publications@jrf.org.uk

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//2006

Future Perspectives Co-operative Ltd - Kath Maguire and Frances Truscott

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Citizens' participation