If your access group is going to have an impact on access and inclusion in your local community, you will need to engage with a range of agencies. This section offers an overview of some of the key players involved in building and development in a community.

Local authorities are responsible for a wide range of statutory functions, so your local authority is certainly a good place to start. You might use your local authority in any of the following ways:

• to consult with specific departments – most commonly Planning or Building Control
• as a point of information
• to lodge a complaint
• to make a recommendation for an access improvement

This section should equip your group with a knowledge of the structure of local authorities, and where to find the decision-makers you need to influence. Don’t feel that you need to know about every process before you get in touch with your local authority – very often, who you know is more important, so try to build up some good contacts.

There is also an increasing need for access groups to engage with agencies outside of local authorities. This section will help you consider, develop and maintain your network of contacts for the benefit of the group.