4. Engagement approach - how we will consult

4.1 Our approach to consultation and the tools for engagement will evolve as we prepare the local plan. We will be using a mix of methods for engagement to make consultation stages as inclusive as possible. This will include providing information by email and through the council’s website and through social media. Consultations will primarily involve digital participation through the council’s website and planning consultation platform and using QR codes on promotional material. Our approach to active engagement may include methods such as public and virtual exhibitions, meetings, workshops to facilitate discussion with a range of stakeholders.

4.2. The following methods of engagement are proposed which have been informed by the scoping consultation and what we have previously learned through plan making in West Suffolk.

Communicating information

The following approaches have been identified for communicating information on the local plan:

Email updates and newsletters
website
local media
use of social media
parish and town council updates
availability of documents (libraries and council offices).

Engagement approaches

The following approaches to engagement on the local plan may include:

In person events such as public exhibitions and drop ins
virtual village hall
stakeholder workshops
meetings with town and parish councils
use of existing networks and community groups
directly engaging with underrepresented groups.

The approaches to engagement set out above is a starting point and our approach will evolve as we progress through the local plan preparation process. Our engagement programme set out in section 6 sets out more detail of how we will engage at each stage of the local plan. These approaches will be clearly communicated in advance of each consultation stage.

Reaching underrepresented groups

The council recognises that barriers can exist to engaging in the preparation of the local plan. Through this strategy we will take a proportionate approach to support the engagement of underrepresented groups. Table 1 sets out engagement approaches that may be undertaken.

Table 1. Engagement approaches for underrepresented groups

Group	Approaches
Older people	Engagement with local organisations community networks such as Integrated Care Board (ICB) - Ageing Well Network and the Suffolk Care Association. Use of accessible consultation venues. Easy to read materials and paper (post) response options.
Young people	Engagement through schools, colleges and youth groups. Flexible event formats and timing, evening or weekend events. Social media polls and/or campaigns. Digital, interactive and engaging formats, map based and mobile friendly material.
Ethnic minority communities	Engagement through community and voluntary organisations such at BME Support Group. Translation where appropriate. Community based engagement including through the possible use of specialist consultants where appropriate.
Faith communities	Information shared through places of worship and faith networks such as Churches Together Network.
People with disabilities	Engagement through local organisations. Use of accessible consultation venues. Easy read materials, reasonable adjustments on request.
Disadvantaged communities	Events in less advantaged areas; partnership with support organisations.
Full-time workers and/or students and/or carers	Flexible event format and timing, evening or weekend events and online engagement.
Rural isolation	Engagement through parish councils and local community networks. Geographically distributed events. Local information channels.
Business community	Engagement through representative organisations such as Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, MENTA and the Federation of Small Businesses. Daytime and evening consultation events.

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