The Localism Act requires local partners to work together and with communities to develop services that are relevant and delivered at the most local level possible.

The Council recognises the importance of consultation and community engagement with different audiences, including individual residents, partner organisations and parish councils in the development and implementation of its responsibilities for equality and diversity. Involvement and consultation helps to give minority groups an opportunity to provide input about the provision of services.

The Council’s Community Engagement Strategy (PDF) states that it aims to support strong, active and inclusive communities, who are informed and involved in decision-making and who enable the Council to improve public services to enhance quality of life across East Cambridgeshire.  The strategy recognises that engagement should not be a one-off activity, but provide the fundamental basis of everything the council does.