Generally speaking it is accepted that panels on the whole have been widely proved to be a useful tool in gauging tenant opinion and ensuring regular involvement and high response rates to questionnaires and other consultation methods.

They can overcome some of the traditional reasons behind consultation and participation fatigue, such as residents' aversion to significant time commitments, but still allow for regular and effective consultation on the issues facing residents.

MCV will offer a platform for raising and addressing issues as well as being able to offer help and advice to community members.

Merseyside Community Voice (MCV) is a unique organisation that aims to give black and ethnic minorities a voice in the communities where they live. It has established a Citizens Panel made up of representatives from the culturally diverse communities and neighbourhoods across Merseyside. With the aim of engaging and consulting on a whole range of issues including:

The panel has enormous potential to impact on participative decision-making in Merseyside and complies with the spirit of participation underpinning Best Value.

The Housing Corporation commissioned the Salford Housing and Urban Studies Unit at the University of Salford to undertake an independent evaluation of MCV 's achievements and progress so far. As part of this evaluation a comprehensive review of the literature surrounding consultation with BME groups was undertaken.

The project is underpinned by maintaining that the key to inclusive involvement is providing a number of different opportunities for people to participate so they can choose what suits them.

Real commitment from steering group members and partner organisations, a strategic Action Plan has been developed and is now in place, the panel has attracted positive attention on a national scale, the project coordinator post is now in place, momentum for action has been gathered.

An independently run session identified the need for a skills audit and addressed the future training needs for steering group members, the steering group agreed that issues raised in the independent evaluation would be addressed by working sub-groups, at all stages of the process the steering group has demonstrated a willingness to learn and evolve.

Communities, neighbourhoods, RSL's and Local Authorities

Time, project co-ordinator post established, community support.

The Riverside Group
Ray Quarless (Project manager), tel. 0151 706 6098

/12/2004

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration

Community development, Integration of social groups