Introduction

The Council will work closely with the full range of local stakeholders to shape the project brief and designs that capture community's aspirations, meeting the needs of Church Street while being realistic and deliverable.

To support this process the Council has publicly invited to and set up a Community Design Panel for Sites B and C during the Project Stage 1 in 2025. The Community Design Panel will operate throughout the design phase of Sites B and C.

The Community Design Panel is by its nature a temporary panel and will wind up its activities when the design work on Sites B and C have finished.

Purpose

The Community Design Panel and its individual members are invited and expected to work collaboratively with the appointed design team for Church Street Sites B and C. The Community Design Panel’s primary focus is to review design proposals, presented by the Council’s Design Team, and offer constructive recommendations for improving design proposals. The Community Design Panel operates as a sounding board and critical friend to the Design Team for Sites B and C.

In their deliberations, Community Design Panel members are expected to consider the Council’s strategic vision, technical feasibility, and delivery constraints and opportunities as set out by the Design Team, alongside local knowledge, lived experience, and the needs of residents, traders and businesses.

This includes:

• On going feedback from residents, traders and businesses
• Building Regulations, policy and guidance, technical feasibility, viability and possible service charge implications
• The council’s vision and shared ambitions for the future of the sites and for Church Street as a whole

Membership and Commitment

Members of the Community Design Panel put themselves forward and were then invited to join the panel by the Council who
considered several criteria in this process of selection. These include:

• Attend a pre-meet with a member of the Design Team, if requested.
• Strong interest in learning about good design and willingness to taking part in a collaborative design process
• Strong local connection to Church Street such as - living, working, volunteering or being educated in the Church Street
• A panel which is reflective of the local community
• A strong interest in Church Street’s future and making a positive contribution to that
• Being able to attend three panel sessions (each three hours) during Phase 2 

Ways of Working

• Meetings will be facilitated by the Design Team and supported by visual and 3D tools to support inclusive, accessible discussions.
• Participants are encouraged to contribute constructively, listen respectfully, and seek consensus where possible.
• Summary notes and key outputs will be shared with participants following the session.
• All participants views are equally valued, and everyone is treated with respect.

Conduct and Participation Principles

All participants are asked to commit to the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles):

1. Selflessness – Acting solely in the public interest
2. Integrity – Avoiding undue influence or obligation
3. Objectivity – Making decisions based on merit
4. Accountability – Being answerable for decisions and actions
5. Openness – Acting transparently and welcoming scrutiny
6. Honesty – Being truthful
7. Leadership – Promoting and upholding these principles

Compensation

Participants will receive a modest reimbursement, aligned with the established rate used by the Council. 

Support for Participation

Payment for childcare is provided upon request. Terms apply to this. 

Review and Next Steps

These terms will be reviewed after the third workshop to evaluate the process and identify potential next steps, including whether the group wants to continue to play a role as the design work progresses into later stages. 

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