As part of Huntington's Voice Your Choice project, the North Ward gave residents the chance to engage in participatory budgeting where they could vote on projects to direct funds to, facilitating greater democratic education in the community.
Note: the following entry is a stub. Please help us complete it.
Problems and Purpose
Groups working to improve Huntingdon North Ward were given a share of £55,000 community funding provided by Cambridgeshire County Council working in partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council and the Luminus Group [1].
As part of the Voice Your Choice project, the County Council asked local people to choose the groups they felt would most benefit their community.
Background History and Context
Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities
Participant Recruitment and Selection
Methods and Tools Used
This initiative uses participatory budgeting, an increasingly common method of democratic innovation broadly described as "a decision-making process through which citizens deliberate and negotiate over the distribution of public resources." There are many benefits associated with participatory budgeting including increased civic and democratic education; increased government transparency; and an increased opportunity for participation by historically marginalized populations [1].
What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation
The funds were allocated at a public meeting [1]. The attendees were confirmed to be local residents. The audience received presentations from community groups and other bidders then voted for their preferred scheme(s). Allocation continued until the nominated funds were exhausted.
Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
28 projects were selected and have subsequently received funding.
Analysis and Lessons Learned
See Also
Hampshire County's 'Have Your Say' Participatory Budgeting
Frodsham Participatory Budgeting (Cheshire, UK)
Acorns Your Voice, Your Choice Ballot
References
[1] Head of Environmental & Community Health Services (2009). REVIEW OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PILOT PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. Retrieved from https://applications.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s27864/P...
External Links
Video summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_tvb-V2wm4
https://www.localgov.co.uk/Voicing-their-choice/24221
https://www.huntingdontown.gov.uk/uploads/no-45-draft-6.pdf
Notes
Lead Image: Voice Your Choice/Huntingdon Town Council https://goo.gl/rfBPLr
