1A Local Government Perspective

Setting the agenda for community cohesion – a local government

perspective

Councillor Tony O’Neill

Coventry City Council

2A Local Government Perspective

Commitment and Strategy

• City Council Community Cohesion Strategy – keeping it real • Cross party support – formal through scrutiny and informal

discussion with own/other groups • Involvement of local communities • Wider partnership – developing a vision; protocol and

guidance • Monitoring and reporting progress

3A Local Government Perspective

Developing a sense of belonging and involvement for all communities

• Working with a range of partners and user groups• Develop a strategy by consulting widely and getting

sign up from stakeholder partners and organisations• Adopting the statement of community involvement• Encouraging attendance at neighbourhood and ward

forums etc

4A Local Government Perspective

Appreciating and positively valuing diversity of people’s backgrounds and

circumstances

• Promoting diversity and tackling prejudice• Tackling hate crime• Providing training• First class communications

5A Local Government Perspective

Ensuring people from different backgrounds have similar life

opportunities

• Ensure better, more equitable access to services

• Tackling barriers in areas of education, employment, housing, health, crime and the environment

6A Local Government Perspective

Develop strong and positive relationships between people from

different backgrounds

• Leadership role of elected members• Involving community groups – give them a voice to

influence decision makers• Ensure opportunities in culture, leisure and education

with a strong focus on young people

7A Local Government Perspective

Communicate the message

• Reflecting positive messages about communities – no dreary pictures of Councillors – no jargon

• Put your money where your mouth is – quality publications (Citivision)

• Celebrate diversity (Celebrating Coventry Campaign – Our City Our People)

• Myth busting leaflets

8A Local Government Perspective

9A Local Government Perspective

“Celebrating Coventry” Campaign

10A Local Government Perspective

Some key ingredients…• Heads above the parapet• Clear and consistent messages • Positive images and rebuttals – Myth Busting leaflet• High quality campaigns and images• Civic pride…in all its forms – celebrating difference and

being a “Coventrian”• Letters in a stick of rock….it runs through all we do