Workshop Community Actions Rowena Macaulay University of Essex and Walk Colchester How an o rbital route was brought into being Lessons learnt for community groups seeking statutory ID: 462169
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Slide1
Walk21 Vienna 2015
Workshop: Community Actions
Rowena Macaulay, University of Essex and Walk Colchester
How
an o
rbital route was
brought into being
:
Lessons learnt for community groups
seeking statutory
engagementSlide2
A 13.5m walking route, linking green space & environmental/heritage interest
The Colchester Orbital ProjectSlide3
Supported
by strategic central spokes
The Colchester Orbital ProjectSlide4
Origins of the project… a community event designed for purpose.Slide5
The ‘community’ behind the Orbita
lJane's Walk launch (2013): “
What would you do to make our town an even better place?”Resulting project led by core group representing:Walk ColchesterColchester RamblersEssex County Council Countryside Local Access ForumColchester Natural History SocietyMyland Community Council Essex Bridleways AssociationProject partnership lead name: local consortium CGLOS ‘Colchester Green Links and Open Spaces’ (2010).Slide6
Our progress to date…
A slow and patchy start!Mild conflicts within the multi-user group
(walkers v. cyclists; horse-riders v. chair users etc)Negotiation of governing principlesA summer of auditing, recording, describing… 18 months on…We meet at Council buildingsThe Council administrate (and take minutes!)The Orbital has a permanent place in forthcomingLocal Plan (2017-32) currently being drafted.We are jointly working on an Orbital Policy for submission January 2016.Slide7
10 Top Tips!
Be clear about why you want this relationship
There will be gains and losses: How will it advance your project? What is at risk in the process?What specific objectives do you hope to achieve? How to engage and get the best out of your Council, Local Authority, or equivalent body…
Clarity of purposeSlide8
Establish project
partnershipsMake links with similarly-minded
bodies Strengthen your democratic baseFake it till you make it (look good on paper)!Make best use of community eventsUse other events and group platforms, where overlapping interests exist, to advance your project
Collaboration &
Cross-pollination
10 Top Tips!
Slide9
Research, research, research
Check out whether equivalent Council-
funded projects exist…
Could these help build an argument for your own?
Where are the parallels?
What lessons are to be learnt
?
Understand the Local Authority/Council agenda – it’s vital!
Perhaps the most important tip of all…
H
ow does
your
project fit
their
priorities?
10 Top Tips!
Slide10
Articulate your vision
(in their language…)
Be ready to articulate and demonstrate how your respective goals coincide. Be proactive: take your vision to the Council.Show them how your project ticks their boxes.Do the work!10 Top Tips! Slide11
Relationships are everything
Dispel Big Brother!
From the outside ‘The Council’ can have an Orwellian feel about it… Get to know real people – discover the relationships behind the walls!Keep your (Council) friends closeKnow/nurture
the people who support your
cause
Understand
their roles, and who they connect with.
10 Top Tips!
Slide12
Serendipity
10 Top Tips!
First steps first…
No
need to win all of your battles at once
A strategic foot in the door is what you need
(your project on the Council/LA agenda…)
Accumulative gains later
(once your project
is
their agenda!)
It’s not about luck. It’s about the recognizing of opportunities and the seizing of them
Wear all of your hats at once – you never know when you may need a costume change…Slide13
Thank you!
For more information about the
Colchester Orbital Projectplease contact us at:
walkcolchester@rocketmail.com
www.walkcolchester.org.uk