Voice of Councillor/Notwestminster

Hello. This week we focus on two sessions that ADSO is pleased to be able to contribute to. These are two sessions you will be familiar with the Voice of the Councilor and Notwestminster, both of which will be held in Kirklees.

VOICE OF THE COUNCILLOR

We are attending the last of the three initial follow up sessions. This week’s session will be held in Kirklees on 13 February 2018. As advised in our 15 October article, these three events were arranged to enable the findings of the report to be considered. The ‘Voice of the Councillor’ report looks for solutions to be identified to strengthen local democracy and local government, give fresh impetus to a faltering devolution agenda, to ensure that our councillors have the tools they need to get on with the job and to make sure we no longer lose good councillors to parliament or good councillors who just step aside because of the frustrations of the job, to explore how we can encourage the many community champions out there to become councillors in the future, and to make sure that those councillors who keep coming back for more – continue to do so.

With colleagues from De Montfort University, Test Valley Borough Council and Kirklees we hope to identify practical ways to overcome some of the challenges highlighted in the report. With many of you preparing or having prepared your induction programmes for the forthcoming elections in May, the report provides a good reference point.

The full report, an executive summary and a separate list of our recommendations can be found here: http://lgru.our.dmu.ac.uk/councillor-commission/reports/

 

NOTWESTMINSTER

On 16 and 17 February, the annual Notwestminster event will be held in Huddersfield, arranged and hosted by Kirklees. ADSO is proud to sponsor the event. I will be attending with John Lynch, our Director for Finance and James McLaughlin, our Regional lead for Yorkshire, Humberside and the North East.

This week we meet Carl Whistlecraft, from Kirklees to explain in a little more detail what the Notwestminster event is all about.

Dave: “Ok Carl. So Notwestminster has been running for a number of years now. Is this the third one? How did you come up with the idea, what was the driver”

Carl: “Actually this is the fourth. Time flies. Notwestminster came from a number of us attending unconferences like Local GovCamp.  We loved the concept and different approach but always felt that it would be great if we could have something similar with a focus on local democracy.  We kept saying “this is great, but where’s the democracy?”  We realised that perhaps the best way to make this happen would be to get on and do it ourselves. So we did.”

Dave: “Some people may not be familiar with Notwestminster. Can you tell us some of the people/organisations you have managed to attract. What has been the secret in getting these people involved?”

 

Carl: “Notwestminster is fairly unique (I think) in the way we create a theme or framework for the day and then allow others to decide the content.  Such an open approach means that we have been able to generate interest from anyone who cares about making a better local democracy.  Our workshops, maker days and lightning talks have had a real breadth of folk involved.  Residents, community groups, officers, councillors, think tanks, academics, youth councillors, not for profit organisations, democracy “experts” etc have all played an important part in shaping what we have done.  I think the secret to getting people involved is allowing them to shape the day – we don’t have firmly set expectations.  We are able to harness their passion and willingness to contribute because there is a shared interest – basically we all care about local democracy.

 

Dave: “That’s impressive! I am particularly interested in how you have managed to galvanise interest from your residents and community groups?”

 

Carl: “I think this has been an iterative process that Diane Sims has been heavily responsible for.  She has a firm belief in democracy from the ground up and has built this firmly into Notwestminster.  Her ethos is that everything starts with the citizen and she has brought that to bear through the digital engagement that she does for both Kirklees Council and Notwestminster.  I think this has created a culture where citizens and community groups fit hand in glove with what Notwestminster is ultimately all about.”

 

Dave: “What would you say Notwestminster has managed to achieve – are there any clear outcomes the you could highlight? Both in Kirklees and more widely?”

 

Carl: “I think it has become a place or space for like-minded people to share, challenge and develop ideas outside of their normal environments – this is inherently a good thing given we are all seeking creative solutions to some of the common local democracy challenges we share.  Beyond that I think it is a focal point from which wider networks and connections have developed.  This is apparent as we see a growth in interest and collaboration year-on-year.  From a Kirklees perspective I very much doubt that the work of the Democracy Commission would have been as rich and in-depth without Notwestminster.  The Notwestminster network made a significant contribution to the Commission’s work.  Many people gave their time, insights and perspectives freely.  This is perhaps the greatest thing I’ve learned – there are a lot of great people who want to help each other, because they care.”

 

Dave: “Finally, Carl, and thanks for your time, what would you say to people thinking about attending, particularly, those working in Democratic Services? What should they do if they have ideas about workshops or would like to get a discussion going to get an answer to a tricky issue?” 

 

Carl: “I would say rock up and throw yourself into the occasion – bring your insights and thorny issues.  There’ll be no shortage of people who want to help or have a different perspective that you won’t have thought of.  Prepare to be challenged and inspired in equal measure, but make sure you commit to act and share what you did.  They’re the rules of Notwestminster!”


https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/notwestminster-2018-main-event-registration-39169804941

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