Community Cohesion - have your say

What is community cohesion?

Community cohesion is difficult to define - but easy to understand when it doesn’t exist. In communities where there is little or no cohesion you could expect to see:

• Graffiti - some of it offensive to faiths or ethnic groups
• Litter and flytipping
• People who don’t know their neighbours and/or don’t care about them
• Groups who are scared of each other

How is community cohesion measured?

A national survey (the Place Survey) finds out:

• The percentage of people who believe people from different backgrounds get on well together in local area
• The percentage of people who feel they belong to their neighbourhood
• Civic participation in local area
• The percentage of people who feel they can influence decisions in locality
• Overall general satisfaction with local area
• Participation in regular volunteering
• Perceptions of anti-social behaviour as a problem
• Other perceptions of crime

We look at other demographic information to identify groups that may be excluded (for example by low income, disability etc).

However, we need to know what local communities think about community cohesion and their role in preserving and developing it.

Is community cohesion a problem in Richmond upon Thames?

Our Place Survey results relating to community cohesion are generally above the London average, with the exception of the percentage of people who feel they can influence decisions in their locality. However, a recent assessment highlighted that because Richmond upon Thames is so different to many London boroughs we need to identify what makes community cohesion in our borough so special.

Why is the Local Strategic Partnership consulting on this?

If we do nothing evidence from other areas shows that community cohesion can deteriorate. The LSP sets out its long-term vision for the borough in the Community Plan and community cohesion is at the heart of that vision. If we are to protect the community cohesion we already have, and develop further to improve on those elements where people are not as satisfied as in other boroughs, we need to make sure we understand what community cohesion means for our residents and visitors.

We need to find out:

• What makes you feel you belong in your community?
• What can the LSP do to make sure that continues?
• What can the LSP do to help develop that?

You can send in your views to

community.cohesion@richmond.gov.uk

If you belong to a community group or voluntary organisation and would like to take part in a discussion on community cohesion to inform future developments, contact us.