There is a need to look at how communities can actively participate and influence decision-making to encourage a more inclusive approach. Individuals within any community often have different needs as well as different perspectives on their community and their role within it. Communities function well where individuals have a sense of belonging to, and responsibility for, the community and for others who are part of it. There are many different voices and needs within a community. An over-emphasis on obtaining definitive community views on all matters weakens the voice of groups within communities, many of whom are extremely excluded.
Community groups are dynamic with people belonging to different groups that evolve over time.
Statutory bodies and organisations need to be flexible so that they may respond effectively to the dynamism of community groups. Defining communities very clearly and tightly, while convenient for government and other agencies, can result in individuals and groups feeling excluded. The term 'inclusive community' can mean many things to different people. We have tried to avoid getting bogged down in definitions of community or inclusiveness. Instead we have set out a 'vision' of an inclusive community, analysed the barriers to achieving that vision, and made a series of recommendations to overcome them.