Issue

Community Engagement

17 stories · discussed at 15 council meetings · 17 councils

Councils are expanding community engagement in projects, improving participation in forums, and considering community input for local decisions.

The City of London's City Belonging Project is expanding, actively seeking business engagement to foster inclusivity, as updated in September 2026. Hackney Council is also set to appoint a dedicated Volunteering Officer to enhance community engagement and diversity within its parks and green spaces, a key commitment of its Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2021-2031, discussed in September 2026.

Merton Council is exploring new strategies to increase public participation in its community forums, following concerns about low attendance in October and November 2025. Separately, Barnet Council decided in October 2025 to keep hostage posters displayed, requiring further community engagement before their removal. Southwark Council was scheduled to appoint a neighbourhood champion in November 2025 to strengthen local engagement.

Community engagement involves local communities and stakeholders in discussions and decision-making, as highlighted by Ealing's Economy and Sustainability Scrutiny Panel in July 2026 when it discussed the Pride in Place programme's approach to engaging communities in high streets and town centres. Redbridge Council also launched its 'Modernising Redbridge' initiative in March 2026, aiming for more resident-centred services.

Key facts

  1. The City of London's City Belonging Project provided an update on its expansion and ongoing initiatives in September 2026. Source
  2. Hackney Council is set to appoint a dedicated Volunteering Officer to enhance community engagement in its parks, as discussed in September 2026. Source
  3. Merton Council discussed new strategies to increase public participation in its community forums in October and November 2025. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
  4. Barnet Council decided in October 2025 to keep hostage posters displayed, requiring further community engagement before removal. Source
  5. Southwark Council was scheduled to appoint a neighbourhood champion in November 2025 to strengthen community engagement. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 19 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. City Belonging Project Expands, Seeks Business Engagement for Inclusivity The City Belonging Project has announced an expansion, actively seeking engagement from businesses to foster a more inclusive environment within the Square Mile. City of London 7 October 2026
  2. Safeguarding Concerns in Hackney Triple, Report Highlights Rise in Self-Neglect and Younger Adult Cases Safeguarding concerns in Hackney have tripled in the past year, with the number of reported cases rising from 1,780 in 2024/25 to 2,798 in 2025/26, a report presented to the... Hackney 24 September 2026
  3. Hackney Council Reviews Parks and Green Spaces Strategy Progress and Future Plans Hackney Council's Skills, Place and Economy Scrutiny Commission has reviewed progress on its Parks and Green Spaces Strategy and discussed future plans, including significant... Hackney 12 September 2026
  4. Hackney Parks to Appoint Volunteering Officer to Boost Diversity and Community Engagement Hackney Council is set to appoint a dedicated Volunteering Officer to enhance community engagement and diversity within its parks and green spaces. Hackney 12 September 2026
  5. Supercute Brewhouse licence variation decision deferred Lambeth Council's Licensing Sub-Committee has deferred a decision on a variation to the premises licence for Supercute Brewhouse, a microbrewery and artisanal taproom. The... Lambeth 4 September 2026
  6. Fields Cafe granted alcohol licence despite public concerns Fields Cafe has been granted a licence to sell alcohol, following a meeting of the Lewisham Licensing Sub Committee D on Wednesday, 26 August 2026. The committee resolved to... Lewisham 27 August 2026
  7. Waltham Forest Council Approves New Planning Committee Rules to Streamline Process Waltham Forest Council has adopted new rules governing its Planning Committee, aiming to streamline the planning process in line with national legislation. The changes, approved... Waltham Forest 18 July 2026
  8. Hackney Council Launches Review into Mental Health Outcomes for Black Women Hackney Council's Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission has launched a review into the mental health outcomes for Black women in the borough, prompted by concerns over existing... Hackney 11 July 2026