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