Statement of Community Involvement 2025 Consultation

3. Community involvement Comment

What do we mean by community involvement? Comment

3.1. When we refer to 'statutory consultees' we mean those that we must consult by law - this includes, for example, government departments, health services, emergency services, and gas, electricity, water and communications providers and transport organisations.

3.2. When we say 'communities' we mean of groups of individuals or organisations which share a common interest, identity (e.g. ethnicity) or need (e.g. clubs, societies, formal associations etc) and communities of place (both workplace and residential).

3.3. When we refer to 'interested parties' we mean those people who have a particular interest in the future of Hastings. This includes:

• people who live in the town
• people who work in the town
• those who provide services in and to the town (for example trades associations, regional organisations, or bodies such as the Local Education Authority, and organisations such as local employers and businesses)
• those who currently invest in, or who may be planning to invest in, the town (for example, landowners, employers, prospective landowners, businesses etc)
• people who use any of our facilities, including tourists, students etc.

3.4. All are stakeholders and as a council we will attempt to reach all those who need and want to be involved, including those who are the hardest to reach and may not usually get involved or be aware of the planning processes.

3.5. The council's approach to community involvement is built upon understanding:

• the role and application of community involvement;
• the diversity of the communities of Hastings;
• the extent to which existing community involvement activity will enhance the preparation of the Local Plan;
• the need to plan for effective involvement;
• the resources required to deliver improved community involvement.

Information giving Comment

3.6. We will give our communities and interested parties balanced and objective information. This will also include giving feedback on progress and outcomes at key stages.

3.7. Information will be available, on request, in alternative formats and in languages other than English. We want to make sure that all information is provided in accessible plain, jargon-free language where possible, supported by a clear glossary where necessary.

3.8. Documents will be produced in an electronic accessible format that can be read by assistive technology.

Seeking views Comment

3.9. We will seek public feedback. We will consult with communities, interested parties and service providers and they will be given the opportunity to make representations.

Participation Comment

3.10. We will work directly with people to ensure that concerns are consistently understood that they contribute to and influence the range of options which are to be considered.

3.11. To ensure there is appropriate community involvement at all stages, and access to opportunities to input are available to all, we will make sure that events and activities are promoted in line with the council's guidelines and through key groups who have contact with people who may need support to access information.

3.12. The legal provisions for the minimum level of public engagement are set out in Regulations.

The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012

Engagement techniques Comment

3.13. Where we can, we will work with each community in the most suitable way for them.  We will choose these with great care, addressing both the issue to be considered and the needs of those who we need to engage with.  Section 8, The Consultation Toolkit, provides detailed information about how we may work with different communities in practice.

Digital planning and consultation Comment

3.14. Government guidance encourages local authorities to be accessible through digital tools to assist public involvement and policy presentation and to improve efficiency in producing local plans. The Government supports new initiatives and believes that the use of new technology may overcome certain criticisms of more traditional consultation techniques and limited participation levels. This is an evolving field, and the council will keep under review and introduce suitable digital tools to assist consultation arrangements where appropriate.

3.15. Using web-based consultation software during consultation periods can be an effective way of reaching out to the increasing number of people who have access and familiarity with digital devices.

3.16. Experience with the internet varies and some may not have easy access or familiarity with digital devices. Planning guidance on consultation and engagement encourages authorities to use digital engagement methods. The Government has produced planning advice on good practice that includes some suggestions for Local Authorities. The council will continue to test the alignment of its consultation methods with the most up to date advice and guidance, including the need to evaluate effectiveness.

Equalities and diversity Comment

3.17. As a public body, the council must properly consider the need to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and foster community cohesion. An Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been undertaken for the SCI. This is set out as an Appendix to this document. The EqIA shows how any negative impacts identified have been or will be reduced.

Promoting inclusion Comment

3.18. The council recognises that particular parts of the community are more difficult for us to reach than others, due to their specific needs or because they may have been under-represented in the past.

3.19. There remain groups within our communities who could be underrepresented in the planning system. We aim to ensure that any such groups are fully represented and will work with organisations and agencies which already work with these groups to ensure that their views are represented. Groups may include young people, older people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, working age adults, minority ethnic communities, and Gypsies and Travellers. It may also include populations of deprived areas either within or outside of these groups.

3.20. There are already a number of key umbrella groups that represent those who may experience exclusion, and we are committed to working with them alongside our existing partners, including the voluntary and community sector, while strengthening relationships with these sections of the community wherever possible.

Resources for community involvement Comment

3.21. We are committed to enabling communities to participate with confidence and improve the quality of activities (for example, through working closely with voluntary and community sector organisations to provide necessary training and development, etc). Requests for training and/or briefings relating to the planning process will be accommodated where possible.

3.22. Equipment and materials - these will be required to deliver activities. The production of displays, maps, documents, and images will serve basic needs while investment in appropriate technology will enable more advanced techniques of involvement.

3.23. Venue - we are keen to address the common barriers to involvement and we will aim to always run activities in physical locations and venues appropriate to the communities involved. In addition to in-person exhibitions, we intend to provide virtual exhibitions. These will have the same content as physical exhibitions.

3.24. Location - We will deliver events in venues which meet a baseline accessibility standard of physical access where possible, (i.e. accessible buildings, with assistive technology and resource materials being made available in alternative formats where necessary).

Communication, the local media, and our website Comment

3.25. Clear and simple communication is key to ensuring the whole community understand how they can get involved in shaping the Local Plan and have their say on planning applications that may affect them. As part of our work to reach as many people as possible across our community, we publish information in the local paper in line with current council practice and also share communications in our residents' newsletter, on our social media pages and when requested through local organisations' channels. In addition to this, physical copies are also available to view.

3.26. A database of consultees has been developed to ensure that we have an up-to-date list of contacts who have agreed that they wish to receive information on planning related matters by email or in other formats.

3.27. Please let us know if you wish to be added or where details change. The easiest way is to go online and provide details so you can be opted into at any time.

3.28. We will continue to improve the usability of the planning pages on the council website to ensure that information is easily and quickly accessible. Documents will be published on the website and available for download.

3.29. A limited number of hard copies will be made available at council venues and local libraries as appropriate. Additional copies may be requested but these will potentially be subject to a fee in accordance with council policy. If there are difficulties, then please make us aware and we will seek to assist.

3.30. Council social media pages will also be used to notify followers of Local Plan progress and involvement opportunities. Local Authorities should make best use of technology in plan making including public consultation, and the council will continue to review how we do so each time we consult.