In its recent responses to Ladywood Unite queries, BCC stated:
“Within, the proposals St Joseph put forward, they committed to appoint a Community Engagement specialist and this is still a commitment that that St Joseph intend to honour”
This is something that is reflected in what the 2023 Full Business Case (Appendix 2: B5) stated:
“A Stakeholder Engagement Strategy will be developed in partnership with Berkeley Homes Plc to ensure that stakeholders that have an interest or whom may be affected by the scheme are appropriately engaged throughout the life of the Development”.
The aims of the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy, the Full Business Case explains, will be achieved through a stakeholder mapping and the production and implementation of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan. This Stakeholder Engagement Management Plan, the Full Business Case states, shall clearly set out:
- Stakeholder power/influence and interest
- Method, format and frequency of engagement of activity
- Roles and responsibility for each engagement activity
- Key messages which are to be conveyed (B5)
In addition the Stakeholder Engagement Management and Action Plans will be regularly monitored and reviewed “to ensure that stakeholders are effectively engaged in the scheme” (B5).
As part of Berkeley-funded Stakeholder Engagement, funding will be allocated for to employ a Stakeholder Manager and a Stakeholder Officer
These arrangements are reasons for concern. We are concerned about the independence of these posts, since funding come directly from the developer.
Hence we demand
- to be involved in the selection process of these posts and to be informed on how BCC will secure the independence of the Stakeholder Manager and the Stakeholder Officer.
- to be involved in the elaboration of the Stakeholder Engagement Strategy and be periodically updated on the progress and methodology being used for the Stakeholder Mapping and the elaboration of the Stakeholder Engagement Management Plan.
Ladywood Unite 
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