Our Charter

The Old Oak Village Alliance exists to

• foster stronger community links

• create greener spaces

• create a safer, neighbbourhood

• build a fairer, more connected Old Oak 

We will do this by bringing residents, organisations and partners together around shared projects.

The Alliance seeks to ensure that everyone has the chance to contribute to and thrive in Old Oak.

Old Oak Village Alliance Charter 

Vision

The Old Oak Village Alliance exists to foster a stronger, greener, safer, fairer and more connected Old Oak by bringing together residents, organisations and partners in pursuit of shared goals. Through community leadership, constructive partnership and responsible advocacy, the Alliance will seek to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, the future of Old Oak.

The Old Oak Village Alliance ('the Alliance') is an independent, community-led, non-party political alliance bringing together residents, Resident Associations, Community Organisations and Groups, Community Interest Companies (CICs), Charities, Schools, Faith Organisations, Businesses and Partner Bodies and other as appropriate committed to improving Old Oak in East Acton and its surrounding neighbourhoods. The Alliance exists to unite communities, strengthen representation, foster collaboration and ensure that local people have a meaningful collective voice in shaping the future of the area.

Core Principles

In carrying out its work, the Alliance will be guided by the following principles:

1. Community First – acting in the best interests of the whole community and seeking outcomes that benefit Old Oak as a whole.

2. Collaboration – working constructively with residents, community organisations, businesses, public bodies and other partners to achieve shared objectives.

3. Inclusivity – encouraging participation, valuing diversity and ensuring that all members of the community have the opportunity to contribute.

4. Respect – treating others with courtesy, dignity and fairness, recognising that different views strengthen community dialogue.

5. Evidence-Based Advocacy – promoting informed, balanced and constructive engagement based on evidence, local knowledge and community experience.

6. Transparency and Accountability – operating openly, communicating honestly and being accountable for decisions and actions.

7. Political Independence – remaining independent and non-party political whilst working constructively with elected representatives, public bodies and other stakeholders.

8. Integrity – acting honestly, responsibly and in a manner that maintains public confidence in the Alliance.

9. Community Leadership – encouraging shared leadership, volunteering, innovation and collective responsibility in shaping the future of Old Oak.

10. Sustainability – supporting environmental responsibility, resilient communities and the long-term wellbeing of present and future generations.

These principles underpin the Alliance's Vision, Purpose and activities and shall guide its relationships, decision-making and conduct.

Pillar One – Community

The Alliance shall: (not restricted to)

1. Represent and advocate for residents.

2. Support neighbourhood improvement and community safety and wellbeing.

3. Promote volunteering, civic participation including green initiatives social cohesion.

4. Work constructively with public bodies, developers and other  organisations.

Pillar Two – Campaigning and Advocacy

The Alliance will promote informed, evidence-based and non-party political advocacy on matters affecting Old Oak, including (but not limited to) planning, regeneration, housing, transport, public services, biodiversity, climate resilience, community safety, wellbeing and other issues of local importance.

In pursuit of these aims, the Alliance may:

1. respond to public consultations and policy proposals;

2. coordinate community campaigns, petitions and awareness initiatives where appropriate;

3. prepare and submit collective representations on behalf of the community;

4. engage constructively with local and national government, elected representatives, public bodies, developers and other stakeholders;

5. facilitate dialogue between residents, organisations and decision-makers;

6. promote community-led solutions and collaborative working; and

7. support and encourage residents and organisations to participate in shaping the future of Old Oak.

Pillar Three – Alliance Network

The Alliance Network will provide a collaborative forum through which organisations remain independent whilst working together for shared community benefit.

• Community Interest Companies (CICs)

• Resident Associations & their networks 

• Community and voluntary organisations & their network

• Schools and colleges

• Faith groups

• Businesses and social enterprises

• Public sector partners and others

• Local Businesses and Corporates 

The Network exists to share expertise, coordinate activity, develop partnerships and collective power, support funding opportunities, avoid duplication, strengthen local capacity and promote collaborative delivery of projects.

1. Membership

The Alliance operates as a collaborative, community-led network with a flat and inclusive structure, rather than a traditional hierarchical residents' association.

Participation in the Alliance is open to anyone who supports its Vision and Purpose, including (but not limited to):

1. Residents of Old Oak 

2. Resident and Tenants' Associations

3. Community groups and voluntary organisations

4. Community Interest Companies (CICs)

5. Registered charities

6. Schools, colleges and educational organisations

7. Faith organisations

8. Local businesses and social enterprises

9. Public bodies and partner organisations where appropriate.

The Alliance may maintain contact details for individuals and organisations wishing to stay involved in its work. Participation is intended to be open, flexible and inclusive, recognising that people and organisations may engage in different ways and at different times.

2. Governance

1. The Alliance shall remain community-led, collaborative, transparent and accountable in the way it operates. Its governance arrangements are intended to support participation, shared responsibility and effective community action whilst remaining proportionate to the size and activities of the Alliance.

2. The Alliance will seek to make decisions openly, fairly and by consensus wherever reasonably practicable. Where consensus cannot be reached, decisions shall be determined by a simple majority of those present and entitled to participate in the decision at a properly convened meeting.

3. The Alliance may establish such groups, forums, officer roles or working arrangements as it considers appropriate to support the delivery of its Vision and Purpose. These arrangements may evolve over time in response to changing community needs, opportunities and available resources.

4. Where appropriate, the Alliance may include:

5. community meetings open to residents and participating organisations;

6. a Coordinating Group to support the day-to-day operation of the Alliance;

7. thematic or project working groups established for specific issues or initiatives; and

8. partnership forums bringing together organisations, businesses, public bodies and other stakeholders.

9. The Coordinating Group shall be appointed by the Alliance and shall be responsible for implementing its decisions, coordinating its activities and supporting the effective administration of its affairs. It shall operate within the authority delegated to it by the Alliance and shall not materially alter the Vision or Purpose of the Alliance without wider consultation.

10. The Alliance may appoint officers to undertake specific responsibilities including, but not limited to, chairing meetings, administration, finance, communications and project coordination. Officer roles may be created, amended or discontinued as the Alliance develops. Responsibilities may be shared or rotated to encourage wider participation, develop community leadership and build organisational capacity.

11. Participation in decision-making shall be open to both individual residents and participating organisations in accordance with the collaborative principles of the Alliance.

12. Officers acting within their delegated authority may make public statements, representations or correspondence on behalf of the Alliance, provided these are consistent with the Alliance's agreed Vision, Purpose and policies.

13. Members, officers and participating organisations shall declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest where matters under discussion could reasonably affect their personal, organisational or financial interests. Where appropriate, the individual concerned shall withdraw from the relevant decision-making process.

14. The Alliance will seek to ensure that its leadership reflects the diversity of the local community, encourages broad participation and avoids undue influence by any individual, organisation or particular interest.

15. The Alliance will seek to resolve disagreements through respectful discussion and constructive dialogue. Where necessary, informal mediation may be used to help resolve disputes in a manner consistent with the Alliance's values.

16. Governance arrangements shall be reviewed periodically by the Alliance to ensure that they remain proportionate, transparent, effective and appropriate to the Alliance's development.

3. Community Values and Conduct

The Alliance is founded on the principles of mutual respect, collaboration and shared responsibility. Everyone participating in the Alliance is expected to contribute positively to the achievement of its Vision and Purpose.

1. Members, participants and organisations involved in the Alliance will seek to:

2. treat one another with courtesy, dignity and respect;

3. listen to and consider differing views in a constructive and open-minded manner;

4. act honestly, transparently and in the best interests of the wider community;

5. work collaboratively to find practical, evidence-based solutions to local issues;

6. promote equality, inclusion and participation, recognising and valuing the diversity of the Old Oak community;

7. respect the independence, experience and contribution of other organisations and individuals;

8. avoid personal attacks, intimidation, harassment or behaviour likely to undermine trust or bring the Alliance into disrepute;

9. declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest where appropriate; and

10. support a culture of learning, cooperation and continuous improvement.

11. The Alliance recognises that constructive disagreement is a normal and valuable part of community engagement. Differences of opinion should be expressed respectfully and resolved through dialogue wherever possible.

12. The Alliance reserves the right to take appropriate action where conduct is inconsistent with these principles or where behaviour seriously undermines the effective operation, reputation or integrity of the Alliance.

4. Partnership Working

The Alliance recognises that many community issues extend beyond individual neighbourhood boundaries and will work collaboratively with neighbouring Residents' Associations, community organisations and statutory partners and others to coordinate activity, share resources and strengthen community representation.

5. Communication

1. The Alliance will seek to communicate openly, transparently and in ways that are accessible to as many residents and organisations as reasonably possible.

2. The Alliance may use a range of communication channels, including a website, community email, newsletters, social media, messaging platforms, local noticeboards, surveys, public meetings and other appropriate methods to share information and engage with the community.

3. The Alliance may maintain one or more community email addresses as a central point of contact for residents, organisations and partner bodies. These email accounts may be monitored by authorised Alliance volunteers or representatives who will, where appropriate:

4. respond directly to enquiries;

5. provide information about the Alliance and its activities;

6. signpost residents to relevant public bodies, statutory services, charities or community organisations; or

7. facilitate introductions and partnership working where this supports the Alliance's Vision and Purpose.

8. The Alliance may hold public meetings, events, workshops, consultations and information sessions where these are considered helpful for sharing information, gathering community views, encouraging participation or supporting community-led initiatives.

9. Where appropriate, the Alliance will seek to:

10. share updates on its activities and significant developments;

11. encourage residents and organisations to participate in community discussions and initiatives;

12. provide opportunities for feedback and collaboration;

13. use a variety of communication methods to reach different parts of the community; and

14. support informed and constructive community engagement.

15. The frequency, method and content of communications will be determined by the Alliance according to its available resources, the nature of the issue and the needs of the community.

6. GDPR and Information 

The Alliance will handle personal information responsibly and only for legitimate community purposes. Personal information may be collected where reasonably necessary to communicate with residents, respond to enquiries, coordinate community activities, develop partnerships and deliver projects.

1. The Alliance may operate one or more community email addresses which are monitored by authorised Alliance volunteers. Residents, organisations and partners may use these email addresses to contact the Alliance. 

2. Enquiries may be responded to directly or, where appropriate, individuals may be signposted or referred to another organisation, public body or service better placed to assist.

3. Personal information will not normally be shared outside the Alliance without consent unless required by law, necessary to progress a request, or where safeguarding or public safety considerations make this appropriate.

4. The Alliance will take reasonable steps to keep information secure and will only retain personal information for as long as is reasonably necessary for its community activities.

7. Legal Structure

The Alliance shall operate as an independent, not-for-profit unincorporated association. It may hold a bank account, receive grants, donations and other funding, and enter into arrangements consistent with its Vision and Purpose. Should the needs of the Alliance change over time, it may adopt an alternative legal structure where this is considered to be in the best interests of the community.

8. Political Independence

The Alliance is strictly independent and non-party political. It may engage constructively with elected representatives and public bodies but shall not endorse political partior candidates.

9. Liability

Nothing in this Charter creates a contractual relationship between the Alliance and its participants.

Presented to The Alliance Meeting Saturday 1st Aug 2026