- Have a clear vision for engagement - a commitment to open, transparent, and inclusive engagement.
- Demonstrate values and behaviours - a guiding set of principles for engagement and expected behaviours from both residents and the council.
- Include citizen rights and responsibilities - a list of residents' rights and the role they play in the engagement process.
- Be accessible - making information and resources accessible to everyone with simple and clear language.
- Keep people informed - informing people on how they have influenced decision making.
- Provide guidance on forms of engagement - using appropriate forms of engagement, being clear about the purpose and method and evaluation of any engagement.
- Define and explain common terms and definitions - being jargon-free and proving clarity on terms such as engagement, consultation, inform, co-design and co-production.
- Be inclusive - actively seeking to involve underrepresented groups and ensuring all voices are heard.
- Equip people with the right skills - ensuring that council teams have the skills, knowledge, and resources to engage effectively with diverse communities.
- Provide opportunity for community asset management - supporting communities in taking ownership and managing local assets.
Background
Ealing Council’s council plan identifies 9 priorities which are important for residents of the borough. The Thriving Communities priority in this plan explains how the council will work differently and better with our communities to improve the environment, economy and social aspects of the borough to make services - and life - better for everyone.
Residents and community groups want to be involved in decision-making and contribute to the fabric of their communities - and the council wants to make this as easy and as collaborative as possible. So together, we have developed this charter which sets the standards everyone should expect when we are working well, together.
This Community Charter sets out our shared principles about how we do our future work, and our expectations for genuine and meaningful participation, engagement, and decision-making with the communities of Ealing.
We are proud that Ealing is one of the most diverse boroughs in London, with over 170 languages spoken across our seven towns: Ealing, Greenford, Hanwell, Northolt, Perivale, Southall, and West Ealing. The borough’s diversity presents both an opportunity and a responsibility for the council to design engagement processes which are inclusive and reflective of the varied needs of its residents.
The creation of Ealing’s Community Charter is a response to deeper engagement, including responding to the recommendations made by the Race Equality Commission - REC (January 2021) and represents the council’s commitment to addressing the disparities in engagement and developing a framework that empowers all communities to have a voice in decision making processes.
An advisory group, made up of individuals and organisations that reflect a significant number of Ealing’s diverse communities, was established in 2024 to oversee the development of this charter.
The 6 organisations that make up this group represent a wide range of demographics and have extensive experience in delivering services and working directly with local communities - they collectively support thousands of residents annually, many of whom are the boroughs most disadvantaged and vulnerable residents.
Their expertise has helped to ensure that the charter reflects the needs and aspirations of many of Ealing residents, particularly those from underrepresented and underserved communities and backgrounds. We are hugely grateful for their time, commitment and expertise.
Purpose
The purpose of Ealing’s Community Charter is to transform the way the council engages with its residents, ensuring that all voices are heard, particularly those from marginalised and underrepresented groups.
The charter aims to promote a culture of transparency, inclusivity, and shared ownership, creating clear expectations for both residents and council staff. It seeks to establish a mutual understanding of rights, responsibilities, and best practices for engagement.
By fostering more inclusive engagement, residents are at the heart of decision-making - ensuring that projects, policies, and services better reflect the diverse needs of Ealing’s population and prioritising those who are in the greatest need.
Values
The values underpinning this charter include:
- inclusivity - ensuring that all voices, particularly from underserved and vulnerable groups, are represented and heard
- transparency - maintaining open communication about decision-making processes and the impact of community feedback
- empowerment - giving residents the tools, knowledge, and support to take an active role in shaping their community’s future
- collaboration - working together to solve problems, manage resources, and design services that reflect the collective aspirations of Ealing’s diverse communities.
Monitoring and evaluation
The monitoring and evaluation of Ealing’s Community Charter will be important to ensure that its implementation is effective, impactful, and aligned with the borough’s broader strategic objectives.
The charter’s effectiveness will be monitored quarterly through the council’s performance framework and will also be reviewed at least annually through direct feedback from residents, community groups, and council teams. This feedback will inform future iterations of the charter, ensuring that it remains responsive to the evolving needs of Ealing’s diverse communities.
Voluntary, community, and faith sector (VCFS) partners will play an integral role in the ongoing review and refinement process, acting as a conduit for community voices and ensuring that the charter continues to represent the diverse needs of the borough.