The PB Network has produced two in the first of a series of policy briefs. These short introductions to Participatory Budgeting are designed to highlight opportunities to develop more meaningful citizen engagement. The two new briefings are on; Citizen Led Commissioning, through using a PB Matrix, a way of embedding PB into public sector budget… Read More
Your Community, Your Health, Your Voice in Southampton
Your Community, Your Health is a health themed participatory budgeting project in Thornhill, Southampton. Thornhill’s Community Health Group, comprising residents and agency representatives from Southampton City Council, Southampton City PCT and Thornhill Plus You, oversaw an annual funding stream provided by the PCT to tackle health inequalities in Thornhill. They first explored the idea of… Read More
Message from Sue Ritchie, Chair of the PB Network
There’s lots happening in the world of PB lately with new reports recommending it is used in health and policing. We already have some good examples of it being used in these parts of the public sector so it will be great to watch that extend over the next few years. As you will know… Read More
Welsh Government children’s PB toolkit
In 2012 the Welsh Government published a toolkit on using PB with Young People. Working towards their commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Children and young people’s budgeting has been identified as a priority within ‘Getting it Right’, the Welsh Government’s UNCRC Action Plan for Wales. Inclusion of… Read More
Building relationships through Participatory Budgeting – Newcastle’s experience
In early April 2014 the Open Democracy Project published an interesting and informative article on Newcastle’s long running UDecide programme. Alison Lamb from Newcastle City Council was interviewed by Participation Now researcher Hilde C. Stephansen. A short extract is given below. "the benefits that we always cite in Newcastle are about increasing confidence and trust… Read More
Survey of Participatory Budgeting 2014
The PB Network is pleased to announce that PB Partners, working in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster has put together a short survey to capture the current state of PB in the UK. We are asking Local Authorities, the Voluntary Sector, the Police, NHS and other… Read More
Cheshire Police Commissioner trials Participatory Budgeting
John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire is set to invest £30,000 in The Grange area of Runcorn in a one off pilot project where it will be the people of the Grange who will decide where the money will be spent. In a press release released on the 11th April 2014 John Dwyer… Read More
Report of January 2014 Participatory Budgeting Network meeting
On the 27th January around 35 people gathered for a day of presentations and discussions around building effective and innovative participatory budgeting experiences in the UK. Key messages emerged around building the network’s communication strategy and moving towards becoming pro-active in seeking funding and partnerships. Susan Ritchie will be the new acting chair for the… Read More
PB Partners has a new logo
PB Partners provides consultancy support to public bodies interested in developing PB. We provide a range of face to face support, training and resources. Our website contains many helpful items, including the PB Unit toolkits, case studies of recent PB programmes and video from around the world.. Our new logo was designed by Deborah Huelsbergen,… Read More
East Luton participates in Your Say, Your Way
‘Your Say Your Way’ is a programme run by Luton Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Governance team. They want to make it easier for people to influence decisions in their neighbourhood. In October 2013 they held two Community Planning Decision Days which covered the 4 wards in the East Luton area where local people and organisations were… Read More