Towns to host council forums as part of Shire of Plantagenet plan to boost engagement

Plantagenet Shire councillors have endorsed plans to hold annual community meetings in Kendenup, Porongurup, Narrikup and Rocky Gully for the next two years. The meetings, which had been foreshadowed in the the shire’s strategic community plan released in June, are part of the council’s plans to improve its community engagement. They build on the consultation and engagement policy adopted by the council in December. Cr Len Handasyde said the annual sessions were based on the success of similar forums held last year. “Having an open forum where we inform the public about what we’ve done in response to last year’s meeting, provide an update and hear some feedback as to where the community currently sits would be a positive thing,” he said. “It can be reviewed as the recommendations state, but if we get through 12 months then see how it’s going, then review it and make a plan to move forward.” Cr Handasyde originally tabled a motion at the January council meeting for the chief executive to prepare a report examining how and when the annual meetings could take place. He called for meetings to be held to “update the community members on the progress of the community strategic plan and to provide a forum for the community to engage with the administration”. Meetings will be organised for October and November, while February and March are the preferred dates for meetings next year. “The months chosen are post budget adoption, which allows council to report back on how the budget and our capital projects are proceeding and how this may impact these communities,” he said. A specific question will be included in the 2024 community scorecard survey to help the council determine whether the annual meetings continue beyond the two-year trial.