How we consulted residents
We asked residents to share their views during a 12-week consultation in early 2025.
We wanted to find out how we could improve public participation in local decision-making.
More than 500 people took part, through surveys, focus groups and community events.
The new commitments were directly shaped by their feedback.
How we co-designed the commitments
Using the feedback, we held 3 sessions with residents to co-design the new commitments.
Residents came up with the new name, the Public Participation Commitments.
The aim was to:
- refresh how we involve residents in decision-making
- make the commitments clearer, more accessible and measurable
The sessions were independently chaired and included members from:
- Tenants’ Consultative Committee
- Citizens’ Panel
- Youth Council
- Local Account Group
- Edwardes Square, Scarsdale and Abingdon local conservation association
- Action Disability Kensington and Chelsea
A diverse group of residents, aged 14 to 80, from across the borough, took part.
All residents taking part were paid the London Living Wage.
What residents asked for
Residents explored the language, tone and focus of the new document during the sessions.
They called for:
- greater accountability from us
- a system to monitor the impact and if the commitments were being embedded
- more transparency to rebuild and strengthen trust
- a clearer, more human tone, making it easier to understand the commitments
- more meaningful feedback following consultations
Residents also talked about:
- the need to meet young people, unrepresented groups and others in their own spaces
- the need to ensure the commitments were accessible, inclusive and available in different languages
The commitments were formally agreed by the full Council on 3 December 2025.
Thanks to all residents who took part and for their ongoing support in holding us to account.
Hear from residents who took part in the sessions
Video: Residents co-design new Public Participation Commitments
- Transcript of this video
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(00:19) So, it [music] really is important to the council. It's one of our commitments that we made to the Brenford Enquiry and also I think it's central to [music] what we do. I mean it's it's going to play such an important role as we go forward listening to our residents [music] providing the services they want.
(00:39) I am one of those typical residents who doesn't actually get involved and I had the opportunity come up and I thought why not I actually have a bit of spare [music] time um and I thought it would just be great to um do something rather than just um sit in the background and watch. >> It's really crucial. Public concentration is crucial for young people.
(00:57) So, I thought I'd um really give my opinion and represent young people. >> Didn't really know what to expect at all. Um I love the fact that it was residents from wide variety of ages and everything. Um incredibly diverse, all with different ways um approaches probably to um interacting. And I thought it was incredibly well organised [music] and um interestingly I wasn't sure.
(01:20) I mean, we only spent sort of six hours, no two, four, six hours in total together. Um, and the [music] fact that all of everything we said both in smaller groups and in total came together in the documents was really impressive. >> Just the collaboration with everyone. I mean, it's really surreal to to see that [music] everyone opinion was heard and it wasn't uh no one was, you know, ignored and like I like the breakout rooms.
(01:45) [music] It was really that was really fun um to hear from so many different people in every session. So, it's not just you have one group that you hear from the whole all three sessions. It was really fun and it was interactive. So, um, yeah, it was very good >> and I'm really grateful [music] to the residents that took part. They really put in a great deal of time and I think the officers put in a huge amount of time.
(02:07) But I think we've got a really good result and I'm really proud of everybody who's taken part.