From reading the case Study on the joint PACT Community Forum and after deliberating over the contents and the results I feel that this can be placed on the Degrees of citizen power on the ladder of citizen participation. How every there are also elements of the second part of the ladder Degrees of tokenism within the case study. I say this because both the Police and council representatives are informing/ telling the public what has been going on but also what they have been doing to resolve these issues.

The new way of engaging with the public has seen a significant increase in numbers attending the meetings on a regular basis compared to the numbers when there were two separate meetings. This shows a clear indication that if you get your engagement correct then you will have a greater input from the public and a willingness for them to take responsibility for what happens in their community. With the old method of meetings the public didn’t feel valued or part of the community, they were being told what was important and what was being done.

The new engagement method now encourages the public to have a view and an input on what is important and what both the police and the council concentrate on. This is done in conjunction with the public in-turn empowering the public to change their community for the better.

To improve this method of engagement both the Police and the council could look at using social media and new technologies more effectively. There may be a number of people from the community that may wish to participate in the meeting but can’t due to commitments or inability to attend. The use of video link, face time and twitter will give the option and a method of communication; this could open the meetings to a wider audience.

With the use of strengths-based methods there can be a reduced need for reliance on statutory services; this is because the public feel more valued and part of their community. They take pride in what is happening so take a more active role, getting involved with street watch groups, speed watch groups community clean up groups and encouraging others to join. Once people start to see what others can do and the positive change it has in the community this will encourage others to get involved.