Keith Ross, Leader, West Somerset Council, made some interesting points in his response to my post entitled UK Parliament starts to talk to the people with new online consultation site that I decided to reply to his points with a separate post.
I have just been viewing your blog. It is interesting to note the lack of reaction. I would like to agree that communication is the way forward to develop all aspects of the District.
It has always puzzled me that so many people are 'lurkers' as they say in the discussion boards business. But it is a fact that a lot of people are shy and would prefer to look on for some time before coming forward publicly.
One way of successfully getting people involved that I have observed on a number of occasions is simply to keep asking. After a while, people give in and speak up. Often, when they do, it is surprising how much they have to contribute.
However, I'm afraid that getting more people involved is a long haul task and not a quick fix. It is something that we need to be pushing at constantly. I firmly believe that the more people we have on board and engaged in the public debate, the more people will join in and enhance the public debate.
We can all talk about the benefits of talking but frequently we talk about talks. We need points to action.
As far as talking and not acting is concerned, I'm a firm believer in action. Indeed, many really useful things can be achieved quickly and with minimum fuss and cost. Your good work in
Dulverton mentioned in your comment is a good example of 'getting the ball rolling'.
Another might be my
Christmas 'Goodwill on the Web' initiative that involved people promoting regeneration by linking up with other local web sites as published in my Christmas Free Press letter.
I also believe that medium term plans and long term plans should grow out of 'getting the ball rolling' quick-result short term plans so there is a constant flow of regenerative actions moving our community forward. All too often, long term, capital intensive plans seem disconnected from short term quick-fix plans.
The Council is refreshing priorities as part of the process of developing a new corporate plan, medium term financial strategy and 3 year rolling budget. Community priorities as developed by the West Somerset Strategic Partnership are fully taken on board in the process. My concern, and probably that of most residents, is that the Community Strategy possibly does not represent the majority of the community. That is something we can all talk about ...
As far as the Community Strategy is concerned, unless there is a system to engage the public in open debate, I find it hard to see it can properly be called a 'Community' Strategy.
A better title would be Councillors' Strategy or an Officers' Strategy. Surely, a Community Strategy starts with a proper communication system that not only enables but initiates community dialogue. In West Somerset, we simply do not have any such a system.
Interestingly, I don't think it matters too much whether it is a 'Council System' or a privately managed system. Indeed there could be many linked systems. (I'm assuming they would be largely Internet based but with a real world footprint too).
There is a lot to be said for organic growth of public discussion systems out of the community. What is absolutely vital is for the Council to throw its weight behind all community developed systems that emerge and for Councillors to be willing to engage in them.
Hopefully, your pioneering willingness to engage in considered public on-line debate will encourage others to follow.
Interestingly, a multiplicity of connected local discussion systems, instead of a single Council based system, may actually contribute significantly to the regeneration of our local economy because of it's encouragement of a diversity of local Internet information based businesses.
Maximising systems provision within the local community would be beneficial in maximising the 'buzz' which would attract more people to participate which would then bring more information into the mix.
If we in West Somerset are talking online about rural regeneration, you can be sure that there are 'lurkers' from other areas listening. If they like what they hear, they may decide to come and join us and contribute to the 'buzz'.
Using the example of your wife's work, talking about the 32 mile moorland hike online attracts more people who then talk about and promote the 32 mile hike themselves, continuing the good work done in the past to promote this excellent institution.
but how do we involve more people in the process?
Traditionally, it is probably fair to say that the good people of West Somerset and
Exmoor rather preferred to keep things 'close to their chests'.
Today, much of the work that needs to be done to regenerate this area is about changing these old ways because they simply do not work in the modern world.
Sophisticated discussions systems can be put in place but they are of no value what-so-ever unless we can persuade people to use them.
Ultimately, the success or failure of the
Exmoor and West Somerset area depends on the abilities and energies of the people who live and work here and their willingness to use modern systems to work closely together to achieve our common aims.
I actually believe that recent unpalatable events locally have marked a watershed for
Exmoor and West Somerset and that, with goodwill, 2008 will be a very good and productive year.
In line with my earlier point about encouraging people to get involved in policy debate, I actively welcome all comments which can be submitted below. Neither I nor any other individual can have all the answers and it is only through a process of discussion that we can find the optimum policies and plans to improve our local area.
Bye for now
Rob
