Our approach to developing the vision
Central Bedfordshire Council facilitated the development of the Vision, given our unique and extensive range of responsibilities for Central Bedfordshire as a place. However, given the scope of the Vision it has been explicitly and deliberately developed with key stakeholders and partners, using a variety of bespoke engagement techniques and building on existing mechanisms where possible. The development of the shared Vision has been based on existing data, intelligence, insight and existing strategies. However, a fresh approach was adopted so that it challenged current thinking and considered future societal, lifestyle and technological advancements and changes.
A broad discussion, using a range of tools and techniques were used to develop a clear understanding of the current perceptions, strengths and challenges we face as well as identifying where there was consensus and dissonance on different aspects of Central Bedfordshire. This included three half day stakeholder workshops with representatives from circa 60 organisations, engaging young people through active school assemblies, hearing from two school councils, the Youth Parliament and Children in Care Council. We heard from local businesses through a business focused visioning workshop and engaged existing partnerships and forums such as the Health Transformation Board, Equality Forum, Older People’s Network and Town & Parish Council Conference, through a number of different activities.
During October and November 2019 residents were able to visit one of twelve drop-in sessions, over 600 postcards with ideas were received from these. A further 89 residents attended one of three workshops to explore ideas further and throughout the entire process, thoughts, ideas and feedback was gathered online. Diagram 1 below summarises the engagement process.
As well as learning from data, trends and conversations with stakeholders we also captured insights from futurologists to build our collective Vision. Being inspired by thought leaders on the changes that could impact on our future living, working, mobility, infrastructure and environment that helped to think beyond our usual horizons and consider future scenarios. While a number of these scenarios felt distant and way into the future, our necessary response to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many of them into a sharper focus, for example, the rapid shift to more agile and home working and reported increase in the sense of community have helped many reflect on the type of futures we want.
All of these processes have informed a Vision which defines high level ambitions for Central Bedfordshire, articulating our long-term goals.
The Vision was drawing to its conclusion just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning, bringing with it profound changes to our lives in so many different ways. Although it was drafted in advance of the pandemic, it’s long-term focus and exploration of key themes such as technology and future ways of working, suggest that it remains equally valid in the context of our learning from the COVID-19 experience.