lewes district 2011 presentation
DESCRIPTION
An oldie but a goodie.TRANSCRIPT
Democratic conversationsDemocratic conversations
The Democratic
Society
Local government is changingLocal government is changing
There are drivers from the top ...There are drivers from the top ...
... but the most important are from the bottom.... but the most important are from the bottom.
The networked society ...The networked society ...
... is leading to networked public services.... is leading to networked public services.
(whatever you call them)(whatever you call them)
This is an opportunity for local governmentThis is an opportunity for local government
Not to get power and money from the top ...Not to get power and money from the top ...
... but for councils (and councillors) to lead their ... but for councils (and councillors) to lead their localitieslocalities
supporting better, cheaper, responsive supporting better, cheaper, responsive servicesservices
and active and interested citizens.and active and interested citizens.
The goal of promoting democratic The goal of promoting democratic conversation isconversation is
not just engaging people in politicsnot just engaging people in politics
but creating space where council & people but creating space where council & people are partnersare partners
and hidden community resources are found.and hidden community resources are found.
How are things in Lewes today ?How are things in Lewes today ?
Strong desire to engage and good activismStrong desire to engage and good activism
LDC has a great reputationLDC has a great reputation
But ... capacity and governance concernsBut ... capacity and governance concerns
and consultation fatigueand consultation fatigue
The will to preserve is stronger than the will to The will to preserve is stronger than the will to createcreate
What should LDC do ?What should LDC do ?
1. Champion openness and participation1. Champion openness and participation
2. Towns and parishes access point2. Towns and parishes access point
3. Better targeted information3. Better targeted information
4. AGMs as democratic centrepieces4. AGMs as democratic centrepieces
5. Clerks and councillors as democratic convenors5. Clerks and councillors as democratic convenors
6. Open data and open context6. Open data and open context
7. Information on a human scale7. Information on a human scale
8. Practical support for civic action8. Practical support for civic action
9. Staff civic volunteering9. Staff civic volunteering
10. Show the council is actively listening10. Show the council is actively listening
11. Get people to express an interest in 11. Get people to express an interest in participatingparticipating
12. Prepare for neighbourhood planning12. Prepare for neighbourhood planning
13. Surface and support local innovators13. Surface and support local innovators
14. Encourage civic start-ups with access and 14. Encourage civic start-ups with access and fundingfunding
15. Look for wider opportunities15. Look for wider opportunities
16. Convene a civic alliance in Newhaven16. Convene a civic alliance in Newhaven
If anywhere can make localism work, Lewes canIf anywhere can make localism work, Lewes can
Presentation by Anthony Zacharzewski, July 2011Presentation by Anthony Zacharzewski, July 2011
for the Democratic Society