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Â鶹ÊÓƵ is kicking off a conversation with residents to inform its emerging 20-year vision.

Council staff will be at key events across the borough over the coming months to find out more about what local people think about South Tyneside - their pride, passions, and suggestions for improving things.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ said: "This is about us having an open and honest conversation with residents and listening to their views.

"When I became Leader, I wanted to change the way we did things to put people at the heart of decision making. I wanted a definite shift to become a listening council, putting the views of local people first.

"We have already undertaken resident, business, and employee surveys to gain as much insight as we can about how we can improve both internally and externally. Now we want to have more in depth conversations with people with an open dialogue to understand people's thoughts and feelings about the borough and how we can improve things now and into the future."

Co-production - a way of working in equal partnership with people using services - is being used to reshape strategies in service areas such as Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing. The Our South Tyneside conversation is an extension of the work done to date and aims to reach more residents to inform decision making and feed directly into the emerging South Tyneside vision and future strategy.

Residents are encouraged to look for the council branded marquee at the Sunday concerts in Bents Park during July and at local park events throughout the borough during August. Visitors can chat to council staff to give their views and complete postcards to express their views on South Tyneside through words or pictures.

Cllr Dixon added: "Our new approach is all about having a transparent evidence base to make decisions, so that we are working collectively with the residents and businesses of South Tyneside. So that we can prove why things are needed and more importantly so we can measure our successes and areas for growth.

As part of the 'Our Council' change programme, listening to the views of local people and putting their needs first is at the core of council activities.

Anyone who is unable to attend in person can contact the council to request a call back for a one-to-one conversation. People can register an interest by emailing ourconversation@southtyneside.gov.uk or calling the Engagement Team on 0191 4247353 to leave their details for a call back.

For more information go to www.southtyneside.gov.uk/haveyoursay