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
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