Best practices for managing capital works spending and community engagement

Best practices for managing capital works spending and community engagement

Increased transparency and accountability

• When council executives are transparent about capital works projects and the public has good visibility of them, it helps to build trust and accountability. This is important because it shows that the council is spending public money wisely and in the best interests of the community

Improved communication

• Increased public visibility of capital works projects can help to improve communication between the council and the community. This can be done through a variety of channels, such as regular updates on the council's website and social media pages, community meetings, and media releases. By communicating effectively with the community, council executives can help to explain why certain projects are necessary, how they will benefit the community, and how much they will cost.

Demonstrated value for money:

• When capital works projects are well-managed and delivered on time and on budget, it demonstrates to the public that the council is getting good value for money. This is important because it shows that the council is using public resources wisely.

 
Here are some specific examples of how council executives can improve public visibility of capital works:

• Create a dedicated capital works page on the council's website. This page should include information on all current and upcoming capital works projects, including the project name, location, budget, timeline, and purpose. The page should also include contact details for residents to ask questions or provide feedback.
• Use social media to share updates on capital works projects. This could include photos and videos of construction progress, as well as information on upcoming milestones or events.
• Hold regular community meetings to discuss capital works projects. This is a great opportunity to answer residents' questions and address any concerns they may have.
• Issue media releases to announce new capital works projects or to provide updates on existing projects. This is a good way to reach a wider audience and to generate public interest in capital works projects.

By taking these steps, council executives can help to justify council spending and build trust with the community.

If you’re interested in a cost-effective dashboard solution for your council, download the brochure below to learn more about the Symphony3 Capital Works Dashboard.