Get Involved in Your Council
Local government plays a leading role in revitalising communities and improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of an area.
Dover District Council helps shape local life by providing a variety of services for our residents, visitors and people working in the district. The Council also works in partnership with a wide range of agencies to influence public services beyond its control and responsibility to respond to the needs of the district.
For example, the Council plays a significant role in tackling crime and antisocial behaviour and is involved in developing strategies to improve the health of the local population through our partnerships with the police and local health authorities. The council's planning and regeneration policies also influence the business in the area and the state of the local economy.
Dover District Council is committed to listening to our residents and finding ways to inform,consult and involve you in planning and delivering council services, and in the issues that affect the quality-of-life in your community.
Examples of ways that you can get involved in your council:
Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Tell us what you think
We want to hear from you when we are doing something right, as well as when things go wrong. If you have a compliment, comment or a complaint, don't just tell your friends and family, tell us!
Consultation with local people lies at the heart of how the council works. Submit your comments on consultations and you can help influence decisions the council makes and get involved with the developments happening in the district. The Council carries out various consultations, petitions and surveys throughout the year.
Planning and development can be one of the most controversial of the Council’s responsibilities. Residents have the opportunity to comment on the developments that may affect their communities and provide local knowledge and opinions.
The Department for Communities and Local Government has also published a plain English guide to how England’s planning system works, making clear the opportunities for people to get involved in the debate over what gets built in their neighbourhood.
The Council meets regularly for members to debate issues and make decisions and members of the public are welcome to attend. Agendas of future meetings, along with minutes from past meetings, can be found on our website.
Attend your local Neighbourhood Forum »
You can get your voice heard and challenge local public services at your local Neighbourhood Forum. The five Neighbourhood Forums covering the district help people who live and work in the district make sure that the Council and other agencies in the area know about their concerns and aspirations for their community. You can also suggest a topic for your local group to discuss.
This Act gives everyone the right to see recorded information held by the Council. Find out how you can request information held by the council.
You could put forward new thinking on how to meet the challenges of sustainability and local wellbeing in your community and even submit your idea to the Government.
Help us to help you
Better engagement = better decisions = better services = better communities.
Only by knowing what you want from us can we work to provide the best possible services in the district.
Decisions made by Dover District Council affect all residents in the district. Your views will be used to inform local decisions and, in the end, shape the way in which we achieve the ambitions of the Dover District Council Corporate Plan and other associated plans.
Use your chance to influence the way your Council works for you.
Further Information
The council’s constitution sets out how we work, how we make decisions, and the procedures we follow.