Resident panels in local government: an embedded approach to public engagement in executive implementation

Purpose This paper develops a framework for embedding structured, recurring resident panels into local government executive management meetings, bringing direct resident input into the operational discussions that shape policy implementation. The framework aims to strengthen responsiveness, accountability and transparency by connecting resident experiences to administrative actions. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds a practical governance model by drawing on public participation ideas, coproduction and administrative decision-making. It looks at why traditional public hearings often fall short and offers a structured framework with a four-phase rollout plan and key safeguards to make the panels work in real-world local government settings. Findings Bringing residents directly into executive discussions helps leaders spot operational delays and friction points that standard metrics completely miss. A short, facilitated dialogue allows senior staff to catch workflow issues early and improve public services without losing control over final management decisions. Research limitations/implications Since this is a conceptual model, it still needs to be tested and evaluated across different types of local government structures. Future research should look at how these panels affect long-term agency efficiency, staff culture and public trust over time. Practical implications Local government managers get a straightforward, four-phase roadmap to build resident panels into their regular routines. It also gives them practical safeguards – like using neutral facilitators and targeted outreach – to keep meetings constructive and avoid common pitfalls. Social implications Reaching beyond the usual vocal participants helps local governments bring underrepresented voices into executive conversations. This approach helps reduce civic frustration, balances the dynamic between officials and the community and builds trust by showing residents that their feedback leads to actual changes. Originality/value Most public engagement tools focus on broad political debates or legislative public hearings. This paper offers something different: an operational approach that embeds qualitative resident feedback directly into executive implementation workflows to fix everyday service problems.