Leeds has implemented the Leeds Citizens Panel[1], to ensure broad consultation and engagement in co-design involving people with diverse backgrounds in policy formulation. The panel enables the city to engage with diverse groups when considering proposals which have a wider impact on the communities. The city has over 3000 online members and 600 offline members who engage both via survey and face-to-face consultation. To ensure representation, the city measures the demographics of participants. One example is the development of the domestic violence communication and engagement strategy, where the city worked with the organisation Voluntary Action Leeds to meet the gaps in consultation. The organisation used their links with local community organisations to ensure the city enabled these groups to voice their concerns. This the city highlights, led to a community approach to the development of the strategy, including the co-designing of publicity materials.
[1] https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-feedback/leeds-citizens-panel
