“An essential component of local democracy is building strong connections between citizens and the institutions that represent them. By including residents in the conversations that affect their lives, local government builds trust and mutual respect. This has never been more important. At a time when trust in public institutions is at a low ebb, councils have a vital role to play in restating and rebuilding the social contract between citizens and their governments. They can only do this by engaging openly with residents and responding to their concerns.”
[‘Community Collaboration – a councillor’s guide’ by Local Trust and The Local Government information Unit © LGiU, July 2017]
Developing the theme of ‘Organising in a Local Council’, these two videos document my conversation with a fellow Senior Community Organiser – and a Portland Town Councillor – Dave Symes, as we reflect on the potential for local councils to use community organising to help engage their communities.
Dave and I discuss how organising methods (such as active listening, community networking, and citizen participation in agenda-setting) have been combined with the ‘General Power of Competence’ and the power to ‘Precept’, to help foster strong participatory democracy in Glastonbury.
Community Organising & Local Councils Part One
Community Organising & Local Councils Part Two
“So I’ve heard” 