1. Democratic conversations in POLO and Newhaven

2. Background Localism agenda Service delegation Big Society/community resource Personalisation/neighbourhood working Neighbourhood planning

3. Aims Clearer expression of public views Richer information resulting from consultations = better, cheaper services Scope to access community resource Opportunities for citizen governance Successful neighbourhood planning pilot

4. Characteristics of a good conversation Multi-centred Open Light Readable Informed Bounded

5. Starting point for a solution Understand people in their different roles: Citizen Service user Neighbour Resource

6. Types of action Large-group Small-group Large-group ConsumerCitizen Consultations Surveys Citizen discussions Neighbourhood plan approval Collective action Neighbourhood plan drafting Running community assets Serving on a parish council Participating in traditional democracy Complaints Service-user comments Direction of change

7. What can LDC do? Connectivity between citizens is primarily social, not to do with government Can’t create the willingness to engage Can implement means to make it easier Can show that getting involved has a real effect

8. Parishes Build on good relations with PCs Consider their information requirements Build a support network at Lewes and locally to work with them on community initiatives, using model of Rodmell business forum Support for taking PC meetings more widely through community video

9. Citizens Information - simplify, move online, provide context Encourage, support and report on civic activities separately from volunteering Consider an “I’m an active citizen” sign- up programme

10. Neighbourhood planning Big test of existing structures Ideally would establish participation networks around something less divisive at first Grow from local participation on the basis of information Listen to where people are Discuss, draft, vote

11. Where next? LDC will want to take recommendations forward Opportunity for interested towns/parishes to tey out new approaches Interested in developing wider conversations and networks