Participatory Budgeting/The People’s Budget Phil Teece, PB Unit GMCVO Conference 18 April 2012

“The most valuable contribution comes from us all as local citizens. It is true that government is essential to the mix of activity. It is also true that the third sector is also critical. However,it is through the millions of small everyday actions that we can all either improve or harm our local communities.” Commission on Integration and Cohesion

“If, now, at this juncture we began to retract from the community empowerment agenda, if we simply believe that we can cut public spending and at the same time “tell people what is good for them” we risk reaping a terrible harvest. It is worth remembering that PB began not in a time of plenty but in a time of famine. And the way to bring about real change in our society, to foster real responsibility is to trust people to make the right choices for themselves and their families. To empower people to take control of their own lives and their own communities. Now is not the time to shrink from community empowerment, now is the time to expand it.” Andrea Jones

“PB directly involves local people in making decisions on the priorities and spending for a defined public budget. This means engaging residents and community groups representative of all parts of the community to discuss and vote on them, as well as giving local people a role in the scrutiny and monitoring of the process.”

“If it feels like we’ve decided it’s PB; if feels like someone else has decided, it’s not”

Community Capacity & Cohesion Engages new people Creates a space for deliberation Strengthens democracy Builds a sense of ownership Quality and efficiency What does it do?

“The PB programme has changed our relationship with agencies beyond all recognition.” Scarborough resident “This gives the community a chance to have their say in a direct way, other than via the ballot box.” Coedpoeth resident “I’m voting for things to help the old people – not enough is done for them round here.” Young voter in Scunthorpe “I don’t see PB as a threat. I see it as a real help. I think it enables us all to make better decisions. I don’t think everything has to be done simply by those that have been formally elected.” John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle CC “Public involvement doesn’t end with voting for a government. It’s just the beginning. It’s our responsibility to be involved because it’s our lives they’re Governing and we need to make sure they do what we want them to do” Coventry LINKs member

 People can be trusted, when they feel respected  Local knowledge is good knowledge  PB demonstrates there is ‘a healthy community’  Involvement and ownership increase wellbeing  PB can change relationships for the better  Enables constructive discussion, not just arguments People like it when they get to hold some of the power

Billions of pounds of our money is being used by public bodies without any involvement of local people. The People’s Budget is a campaign to help your community group understand how to persuade your local council, health organisation, police force or housing provider to give you a significant say in how budgets should be spent.