One of the exciting features of participatory budgeting is how it encourages people to think imaginatively and find new ways to build communities, both online and face to face. One example is a new paper that has been published by the independent think tank NEF in association with Common Weal, exploring the creation of the… Read More
Scotland
What’s happening in Participatory Budgeting across Scotland
Scottish Programme for Government promotes Participatory Budgeting
The 2015-2016 programme for Government, announced by Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister at the Scottish Parliament on the 1st September 2015 provides further endorsement for participatory budgeting. As part of a wide range of initiatives, this commitment to PB is linked closely to the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 will see PB grow north of the… Read More
Hebrides Islands rural bus service tendering uses PB to involve residents
On the 20th July 2015 the Island News and Advertiser reported how the community will be involved in deciding how to invest public money in rural bus services in very remote islands of the Outer Hebrides (also known as the Western Isles or Na h-Eileanan Siar in Gaelic). The project, one of the first in… Read More
PB Network National Conference: 26th October, Birmingham
On the 26th October 2015 the PB Network held our national Participatory Budgeting(PB) conference. Over 70 people gathered for a stimulating day of workshops, debates and presentations. The conference was held at Studio Innovate rooms in the heart of Birmigham city centre, as well as a range of breakout spaces. Providing us with a modern… Read More
£18,000 for YOU to spend in the Gallatown area
Gallatown YOU Decide is a new opportunity to increase, continue and support community activities in the Gallatown area. Gallatown is a suburban village outside Kirkcaldy, Fife. In June this year residents of Gallatown had the chance to decide how to spend £18,000 to support opportunities for people to become more creative and take part in… Read More
Scotland’s Community Empowerment Bill opens the door to participatory budgeting
On the 17th June 2015 the Scottish Parliament passed the long awaited Community Empowerment Bill (Scotland), with a strong focus on devolving power to communities and citizens. Among a raft of proposals around asset transfer, land ownership and strengthening the role of citizens in the work of community planning partnerships were new ministerial powers that… Read More
Closing the commissioning gap: Supporting social enterprise through Participatory Budgeting
A new blog on the What Works Scotland website highlights the opportunities for stimulating and supporting social enterprise and so plug the leaking of public funding out of a community. Written by Jez Hall of PB Partners, the blog identifies the relationship between participatory budgeting and the recommendations of the Christie Commission, a report in… Read More
Which parties support a more participatory democracy in the 2015 election?
Politicians like to say they are listening to citizens and around the world participatory budgeting(PB) is shown to be an effective and meaningful way to do just that. As we approach the 2015 election Jez Hall of the PB Partners has done a quick trawl of the parties websites and manifestos. Below is what he… Read More
Improvement Service publishes briefing on participatory budgeting for elected members
With editorial support from PB Partners a new resource for elected members on the opportunities brought by participatory budgeting(PB) has been published by the Scotland based Improvement Service. The Improvement Service (IS) developed an Elected Members Briefing Series to help elected members keep pace with key issues affecting local government. New ideas for more develoved commissioning… Read More
Beyond cynicism and complacency – Participatory Budgeting in Scotland
A new blog by Oliver Escobar, Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, explores the development of participatory budgeting in Scotland. Oliver is part of a small working group convened by the Scottish Governemnt that is looking to support the role out of new PB experiences over the coming year and beyond. As well… Read More