Photo: Liz Tapner of SELNET meeting Danish Visitors, March 2014 In collaboration with Strategihuset, a Danish consultancy promoting cooperation and dialogue between civil society representatives and public welfare organizations, PBPartners runs regular international learning tours for senior public sector and non-profit leaders. These bring opportunities for sharing knowledge about the difficult changes facing the public… Read More
News
Latest news about Participatory Budgeting
British Academy report proposes Participatory Budgeting can reduce health inequalities
"If you could do one thing…" Nine local actions to reduce health inequalities is a new report from the respected British Academy for Humanities and Social Sciences. One of its nine proposals is to use Participatory Budgeting (PB) to promote mental well-being in communities. In its report "the British Academy presents a collection of opinion… Read More
Over 1000 residents participate in Leith Decides 2014
For the fourth year in a row numerous local projects have been funded in Edinburgh through the Leith Decides Participatory Budgeting programme. Over 1000 people participated through multiple channels, including postal voting, using local libraries as voting stations as well as at the decision day event. Just under £23,000 was in the pot, with local… Read More
Participatory Budgeting Network’s new Chair asks for your support
At our January meeting we announced Susan Ritchie as the new chair of the PB network. Susan introduces herself below: "A big hello to the PB network from me – it is such a pleasure to take on this role and help take the network forward. A huge thank you to Davy Jones, my predecessor,… Read More
Durham wins LGC Local Council of the Year award
The Local Government Chronicle has named Durham County Council as Local Council of the year at the LGC awards 2014, held in London on the 12th March 2014. Durham was praised for "relations with local businesses, support for SMEs, real progress in community asset transfer and the contribution made to the wider area. This council… Read More
8th “Best Practice in Citizens’ Participation” Awards
Photo: DVD of a previous submission to the OIDP awards The International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP) runs an annual award for good practice in local government. The award is now in its 8th year. The award is meant to recognize those innovative experiences and ideas coordinated by local governments in the field of participative… Read More
Otley Town Council uses Precept to run Participatory Budgeting
Otley residents were invited to submit project ideas for the town and help spend £10,000 during June 2013, with voting on the results in September 2013. This forms part of Otley Town Council’s drive towards local decision making and the introduction of participatory budgeting. Key to Voice Your Choice is that Otley residents participate in… Read More
Edinburgh positive about the impact of Participatory Budgeting
In a recent report on a range of Participatory Budgeting initiatives Edinburgh City Council recognises the positive impacts in terms of public approval for opportunities to have a say over budgets. Examining programmes like the award winning Leith Decides encouraged the council to continue to develop the approach, and it is trying PB in a… Read More
Windsor and Maidenhead’s online Participatory Budgeting
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead runs an annual online public vote on projects that benefit the community. Voting in the latest round will close at 5pm on Monday 10 February 2014. Up to £50,000 has been allocated to help fund these local projects. Local groups can bid for up to £2,000 to support… Read More
Citizens decide online on the proceeds of crime in North Wales
Anglesey and Gwynedd residents can have their say, for the first time ever, on how money seized from criminals is spent. The Participatory Budgeting Scheme, established by Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick, is partly funded by money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act. £42k has been made available for projects which will help… Read More