Big news for our community! Barnet Council wants to hear from you about how they involve local people, businesses, and groups in planning decisions.
This includes everything from how they create new planning rules to how they ask for opinions on individual building plans.
This is our chance to ensure genuine inclusion in the planning decisions that shape our neighbourhoods and our future. Get in early – have your say!
The council has a draft document called the Statement of Community Involvement. This document explains how they will talk to the community about planning. It’s now open for your feedback, and this is our perfect chance to make sure that the council understand what is needed to make sure future planning discussions are accessible for Disabled people.
Here are some key points to consider when sharing your views about the LPA’s engagement – think about how information and consultation events could be made more accessible to you and people you know:
Make sure information is easy to get for everyone:
Ask that all planning information, like policies and building plans, be available in formats that are easy to understand and use. This could mean things like Easy Read, large print, or audio versions.
Think about physical access to places:
When the council talks about holding meetings or exhibitions in “accessible locations,” ask them to be very clear about what that means. We need to know key information up-front, such as if there’s wheelchair access, accessible toilets, if sign-languages interpreters will be available, good transport links so everyone can take part without having to ask specially. It’s also helpful to have a named contact person you can ask about more complex or very specific access requirements.
Don’t just rely on computers:
While online tools are good, not everyone can use them. Ask the council to make sure there are still good old-fashioned ways to get involved. Having well-advertised public meetings at community centres/groups, and providing help for people who don’t have internet access or aren’t comfortable online.
What other things can you think of?
Read more details about the Statement of Community Involvement consultation on the Council website and submit your response today!