1. Innovation in Democracy Programme
Stakeholder Scoping Workshop
2nd July, 2019

2. The Innovation in Democracy Programme
“...To pilot participatory democracy approaches, whereby people are empowered to deliberate and participate in the decisions that affect their communities….
“The government will work with local authorities to trial face-to-face deliberation complemented by online civic tech tools to increase broad engagement and transparency.” Civil Society Strategy, August 2018
GCP one of 3 projects chosen Dudley Borough Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Greater Cambridge Partnership
£60,000 to enable the Citizens’ Assembly to happen

3. Who we are
Involve - public participation charity with a mission to put people at the heart of decision-making
The Democratic Society - non-profit organisation working for greater participation and dialogue in democracy
mySociety - non-profit social enterprise providing technology, research and data that help people to be active citizens
The RSA - a charity that aims to find practical solutions to social challenges

4. Introduction to Citizens’ Assemblies

5. What is a Citizens’ Assembly?
Members of the public are brought together to discuss an issue, and reach a conclusion about what they think should happen.
They learn in depth about an issue, hearing from expert witnesses & discussing with people from all walks of life.
Together, they reach a collective decision/ set of recommendations.

6. How members are selected
Citizens are chosen at random to take part
But they’re often also selected to be demographically representative of the wider population, to make a “mini-public”.
It looks and feels like a miniature version of the wider public.

7. What happens during a citizens’ assembly? 1/2
All citizens’ assemblies go through 3 stages:
Learning - participants hear from witnesses. These often include technical experts and lived experience experts.
Deliberation - participants consider what they have learnt, individually and in conversation with their fellow participants.
Decision-making - participants reach a collective decision or set of recommendations. This can be through a vote and/or consensus building process.

8. Key features Balanced information Expert witnesses
Time for deliberation
Neutral facilitation
Collective decision making on recommendations

9. This process is different
Recommendations are made by assembly members, not by politicians or officers
The result is determined by a carefully facilitated process
Length of time for understanding and deliberation
Representativeness of assembly members

10. The Question
How do we reduce congestion, improve air quality, and provide better public transport in Greater Cambridge?

11. Recruitment – the Assembly Members
Working with the Sortition Foundation to recruit members
10,000 invitations being sent out in July – people register interest
Selection using stratified, random selection - Assembly is broadly representative of Greater Cambridge society.
c. 50+ members – from age 16+
Random not self-selecting Assembly Members

12. Stratification – Assembly Members
Basic demographic criteria: (Usually) Age / Area / Ethnicity / Gender / Socio-economic group;
One or two additional criteria depending on the topic:
Frequency of travel
Mode of travel
Population wide statistics must be available.

13. How else can people take part / keep informed ?
Using Consult Cambs as portal for information –before, during & after
Asking for views on what issues the Assembly should consider
Asking for “travel stories” to reflect wider views
Some might be asked to present evidence
Observer places available
Live stream of presentations

14. Advisory Group Role
Advice and oversight to review the assembly’s plans, evidence and materials are balanced and unbiased
Members currently being approached - Public health; Environment; Public realm; Transportation; Social equalities; Economic growth; Democracy
Focus on independent expertise on the topics
Likely to meet twice before the Assembly

15. Evidence
Includes technical experts to provide factual background information
Key stakeholders with a range of policy preferences & lived experiences
Seek to also respond to what Assembly members want to hear about

16. Next Steps Date Activity July
Stakeholder workshop (2nd July) to update and start scoping evidence
Recruitment letters sent out and Citizens’ Assembly Members recruited
Councillor Briefing Sessions at County, City and South Cambs
Consult Cambs Question – evidence scoping
First Meeting of Advisory Group
August
On boarding of Citizens’ Assembly Members
Consult Cambs Question – travel stories
Second meeting of Advisory Group
Observer invitations /selection
7/8 September
First meeting of Citizens’ Assembly
5/6 October
Second meeting of Citizens’ Assembly
October
Report from the Citizens’ Assembly
November/ December
Paper to Joint Assembly / Board