Innovation in Democracy Programme

Stakeholder Scoping Workshop

2nd July, 2019

The Innovation in Democracy Programme

“...To pilot participatory democracy approaches, whereby people are

empowered to deliberate and participate in the decisions that affect their

communities….

“The government will work with local authorities to trial face-to-face

deliberation complemented by online civic tech tools to increase broad

engagement and transparency.” Civil Society Strategy, August 2018

• GCP one of 3 projects chosen Dudley Borough Council, Test Valley

Borough Council and Greater Cambridge Partnership

• £60,000 to enable the Citizens’ Assembly to happen

Who we are

Involve - public participation charity with a mission to put people at the

heart of decision-making

The Democratic Society - non-profit organisation working for greater

participation and dialogue in democracy

mySociety - non-profit social enterprise providing technology, research

and data that help people to be active citizens

The RSA - a charity that aims to find practical solutions to social

challenges

Introduction to Citizens’

Assemblies

What is a Citizens’ Assembly?Members of the public are brought together to discuss an issue, and

reach a conclusion about what they think should happen.

• They learn in depth about an issue, hearing from expert witnesses

& discussing with people from all walks of life.

• Together, they reach a collective decision/ set of

recommendations.

How members are selected

● Citizens are chosen at random to take part

● But they’re often also selected to be demographically

representative of the wider population, to make a “mini-

public”.

It looks and feels like a miniature version of the wider

public.

What happens during a citizens’ assembly? 1/2

All citizens’ assemblies go through 3 stages:

1. Learning - participants hear from witnesses. These often include technical experts and lived experience experts.

2. Deliberation - participants consider what they have learnt, individually and in conversation with their fellow participants.

3. Decision-making - participants reach a collective decision or set of recommendations. This can be through a vote and/or consensus building process.

Key features

• Balanced information

• Expert witnesses

• Time for deliberation

• Neutral facilitation

• Collective decision making on recommendations

This process is different

● Recommendations are made by assembly members, not by politicians or officers

● The result is determined by a carefully facilitated process

● Length of time for understanding and deliberation

● Representativeness of assembly members

The Question

How do we reduce congestion, improve air quality, and provide better public transport in Greater Cambridge?

Recruitment – the Assembly Members

• Working with the Sortition Foundation to recruit members

• 10,000 invitations being sent out in July – people register interest

• Selection using stratified, random selection - Assembly is broadly representative of Greater Cambridge society.

• c. 50+ members – from age 16+

• Random not self-selecting Assembly Members

Stratification – Assembly Members

• Basic demographic criteria: (Usually) Age / Area / Ethnicity / Gender / Socio-economic group;

• One or two additional criteria depending on the topic: • Frequency of travel • Mode of travel • Population wide statistics must be available.

How else can people take part / keep informed ?

● Using Consult Cambs as portal for information –before, during &

after

● Asking for views on what issues the Assembly should consider

● Asking for “travel stories” to reflect wider views

● Some might be asked to present evidence

● Observer places available

● Live stream of presentations

Advisory Group Role

● Advice and oversight to review the assembly’s plans, evidence and

materials are balanced and unbiased

● Members currently being approached - Public health; Environment;

Public realm; Transportation; Social equalities; Economic growth;

Democracy

● Focus on independent expertise on the topics

● Likely to meet twice before the Assembly

Evidence

• Includes technical experts to provide

factual background information

• Key stakeholders with a range of policy

preferences & lived experiences

• Seek to also respond to what Assembly

members want to hear about

Next StepsDate Activity

July ● Stakeholder workshop (2nd July) to update and start scoping

evidence

● Recruitment letters sent out and Citizens’ Assembly Members

recruited

● Councillor Briefing Sessions at County, City and South Cambs

● Consult Cambs Question – evidence scoping

● First Meeting of Advisory Group

August ● On boarding of Citizens’ Assembly Members

● Consult Cambs Question – travel stories

● Second meeting of Advisory Group

● Observer invitations /selection

7/8 September ● First meeting of Citizens’ Assembly

5/6 October ● Second meeting of Citizens’ Assembly

October ● Report from the Citizens’ Assembly

November/

December

● Paper to Joint Assembly / Board