Margaret Yates

Julie Goodall Democratic Services

Annette KingDigital Birmingham

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY?

‘Government by all the people, direct or representative’

‘Form of society ignoring hereditary class distinctions and tolerating minority views’.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Parliament - Politics

- Law

Local Government

Unitary Councils, Metropolitan Councils

County Councils

District Councils, Borough Councils

Parish Councils, Parish Meetings

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY IN BIRMINGHAM?

120 Councillors4-year term of officeProgressive PartnershipLocal Government Act 2000Leader/Cabinet ModelWhat about the future?Elected Mayors

Regulatory Committees

City Council

Overview & Scrutiny

Committees

Constituency and Ward

Committees

Cabinet

Council Business

Management Committee

Democracy in Birmingham

“The DVD”

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/democracy-video

E-democracy in Birmingham why is it important?

Improved access to its services and decisions for Councillors, Officers and Members of the Public.

Ensures Openness, Accountability and Transparency of Decision Making.

Sustainable.

Have your say and get involved.

E-initiatives

In today’s society there is an ever increasing

number of ways or channels that people want to

be able to receive information. Through

traditional methods such as newspapers, books,

leaflets, meetings and more often now through

digital technologies such as PC’s, Mobile

Phones, Digital TV, etc.

10

E-participation/E-democracy

CAMPAIGNS

IDTV VIDEO VIEWS

PHOTO SITES

SOCIAL NETWORKING, SECOND LIFE ETC

E-PETITIONSPLEDGES

E-participation can broaden engagement by using

technology to make process more manageable and more

convenient for the time-poor, it can help open up the debate

to people who would not be able to participate otherwise.

Birmingham still has at least 50% of the population who do

not have access to a broadband connection at home. By

using IDTV everyone can take part in the democratic

process.

Councils use a wide range of consultation methods but e-consultation is not simply about saving time and resources it is also about reaching out more widely to increase breadth and depth of consultation. It can aid citizens to get more engaged. and participate in issues that affect them.

Democracy can be enhanced if councillors want a quick poll on an issue that affects their ward, or a quick survey on a particular issue affecting the city.

Information or content is key to involvement and engagement by citizens in the democratic processes.

With more and more people expecting information to be available using digital channels Democratic Services are keen to ensure that everyone in society has access to the democratic processes.

E-Consultation/E-Democracy

What is a petition?

A petition is a request to change something. Usually signed by numerous individuals. Sent to someone in an official capacity that can do something about it.

Why do we need a system for petitions?

People have the right to speak against things they are not happy with. The public need to know that petitions will be accepted and acted upon within the City Council.

Will it change the outcome of the decision?

It does not necessarily mean that a decision will be changed. It may result in the decision being changed, or a compromise reached. It does give the public the right to be heard.

E-petitions

E-petitions The City Council at its meeting on 14 October 2008, noted that the

implementation of an e-petitions facility would be an indication that the City Council was fully supportive of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

Birmingham was offered the opportunity to be involved in a European Union Petitions Project.

Following investigation into e-petitions facilities a report went to Council Business Management Committee on 24 March 2009.

E-petitions site went live on 15 June 2009.

The Local Democracy, Economic Development Construction Act 2009 – “Duty to Respond to Petitions” came into force on 15 June 2010.

Local Authorities are required to provide both a paper and an e-petition facility to meet Government Legislation by 15 December 2010.

System upgraded to include European Petitions 21 September 2010.

Is it successful?

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Oct-09 Nov-09 Dec-09 Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10 Jun-10 Jul-10 Aug-10

E-Petitions (number of hits per month)

15

Useful sites for Birmingham City Council Information and projects

www.digitalbirmingham.co.uk - information about its work and projects www.birmingham.gov.uk/bulletin - information alert service by email based on subscription (over 120,000 subscribers – in 8 months and growing)

http://www.visitbirmingham.com/visitor_information/meet_birmingham_mobile/ - wireless city centre free information zone for people who come into the city and on the move

www.digitv.gov.uk/digitv/cds/Birmingham/Netgem/home - Birmingham's IDTV service part of a National project hosted and developed by Kirklees CouncilBest performing microsite in the country.

http://www.summitvirtualtours.co.uk/Preview/BCH/BCH_bch.html - virtual tour of the Council House

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Birmingham%20Island/235/238/1001 - Second Life Virtual Council Chamber

www.birmingham.gov.uk/Democracy - Agendas, Reports and Minutes of meetings.

www.birmingham.gov.uk/petitions - E-petitions site.

Democracy in Birmingham

E-Initiatives not a replacement

but an enhancement to existing systems.

Questions