… an interim report
.
When it came to power, the new administration at East Devon brought in a new portfolio – dedicated to bringing about greater openness and participation:
Executive post – Portfolio Holder Democracy and Transparency – East Devon
Indeed, such importance does the District Council give this position, that it has ranked it immediately after the deputy leader in cabinet:
Our cabinet members and portfolio holders – East Devon
Let’s consider where the District Council is…
DEMOCRACY:
A problem for every authority is getting people involved – and one example is how to engage residents in spending decisions – which is proving difficult:
This is part of a grander project:
Participatory budgeting and participatory democracy – Vision Group for Sidmouth
There are several consultancies out there specialising in these ideas and techniques which authorities can call on:
Nesta | The Innovation Foundation
And ‘participatory futures’ is one of those:
Our Futures: By the people, for the people | Nesta
If we look to other councils in the West Country, they are experimenting with such tools:
Independents for Frome – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Nurturing social capital in Frome – Vision Group for Sidmouth
TRANSPARENCY:
The new administration at East Devon have committed to the so-called Nolan Principles:
The Seven Principles of Public Life – GOV.UK
District Council determined to improve probity in planning – Vision Group for Sidmouth
And this spirit of openness has now been put at the centre of the Beach Management Plan process in Sidmouth:
Beach Management Plan: latest meeting report – Vision Group for Sidmouth
The council also seems determined to allow more openness at meetings – with allowance for more questions and further experiments with virtual meetings:
Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 28th October, 2020, 6.00 pm – East Devon
Nevertheless, the council’s website leaves a lot to be desired in terms of access to information – with the news archive, for example, being very patchy indeed;
News – East Devon. If you find the website frustrating please let them know.
Unfortunately, not every local authority in Devon seems quite so keen on greater openness and participation:
Exeter City Council executive members take direct control of city planning