“UDecide”- Newcastle upon Tyne’s award-wining participatory democracy programme: http://nws.eurocities.eu/MediaShell/media/Newcastle_(soci)_final-MROD_8771.pdf
Let’s talk Newcastle online is a simple and convenient way for you to have your say and take part in Newcastle upon Tyne City Council’s consultations online. You can complete an online survey, take part in topic walls where you can discuss and debate issues, vote in a poll or create your own forum to raise the things you want to talk about.
https://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk
Budget Roadshows in Newcastle, South Africa
The Mayor takes the municipality’s annual budget around huge public meetings in marquees and hall around the townships and suburbs of Newcastle. The Municipality’s Exco has just agreed that these meetings will now be held ahead of the setting of the budget so that the community can feed its ideas into the Integrated Development Plan and the Budget which reflects what is in the Plan.
Newcastle-under-Lyme College – Active Citizenship: http://www.activecitizensfe.org.uk/speak-out-newcastle-under-lyme-college.html
Examples of Community/Staff newsletters from the different Newcastles
“Vivre la Ville” – Neuchâtel http://www.neuchatelville.ch/vivre-la-ville
“The Informer”, Newcastle, South Africa August 2015
Local Committees in Newcastle upon Tyne
Each of the 26 “wards” in Newcastle has a Ward Committee which meets on a regular basis. Its purpose is to inform and involve residents around issues that are relevant to them and to gain feedback about what is happening in their area. The Ward Committee is made up of the three councillors elected in the ward who meet with local residents and organisations. Each Ward Committee hold four Ward Get Togethers each year. The Get Togethers are an opportunity to meet local councillors, share views about the neighbourhood and make decisions together. Each ward has a local budget, averaging 40-50,000 euros, to support local projects and initiatives for the benefit of the area. More information.
Local Democracy in Action: A Civil Society Perspective on Local Governance in South Africa http://www.ggln.org.za/publications/state-of-local-governance-research-project/Local%20Democracy%20in%20Action.pdf Includes reference to Ward Committee Ssytem in Newcastle, Kwazulu Natal
The Theory and Practice of Participatory Appraisal
Participatory Appraisal (PA) is a method of consultation, designed to be none threatening and offer a fun and alternative method of gathering both qualitative and quantitative results.PA, by its approach is suitable to use with all members of the community as it easily cuts across age and language barriers. It also provides the skills and insights for elected members in their capacity as community leaders.
PA uses hand draw pictures, post-it notes and sticky dots to gather the required information, which can be collected and analysed, and cross-referenced to produce statistical reports. The data will remain confidential for the consultee, but will offer the required information for the organisation using a simple key that can gather required data such as gender, ethnicity, age etc. This training day is very practical and hands on, teaching delegates to enjoy consulting.
http://shortwork.org.uk/participatory-research/an-introduction-to-participatory-appraisal/
Active Citizens – British Council website, with examples from around the world: http://activecitizens.britishcouncil.org/
Citizens Connect: Making Boston Beautiful
Citizens Connect is the City of Boston’s award-winning effort to empower residents to be the City’s “eyes and ears.” Citizens can alert the City of Boston to neighborhood issues such as potholes, damaged signs, and graffiti. http://www.cityofboston.gov/DoIT/apps/citizensconnect.asp
STRENGTHENING CIVIC IDENTITY
Here are examples of civic identity and civic pride campaigns – what works to get your people behind your city or your campaign.
Newcastle, with Gateshead, bid to become European Capital of Culture for 2008. The bid embraced a huge media campaign, involved schools and local community groups, enlisted business partners and more. In the event they were pipped by Liverpool – but went on to develop and implement the “Culture 10” programme anyway, with festivals and other events over several years.
http://www.lgcplus.com/newcastle-gateshead-unveils-ambitious-strategy/1303356.article
This article reviews bid programmes such as this:
“Pharrell Williams – Happy – We Are from ….. ” The people of more than 1500 towns and cities have created cover versions of the Pharrell Williams’ hit “Happy”. Here is the version from NEUCHÂTEL – a great advertisement for the city and its people! What about other Newcastles doing one for their home?
http://www.happywearefrom.com/neuchatel
Newcastle, Australia – http://lovenewcastle.com.au/
The Pride of Place Taskforce was created to address issues that impact on the overall amenity of the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, including graffiti, vandalism, community safety, cleanliness and appearance.
Representatives from business, government agencies, young people and the community are present on the taskforce. – See more at: http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/services/pride_of_place#sthash.Bzgf2KZl.dpuf
“Our Newcastle” is Newcastle upon Tyne’s campaign to get more people taking care of their environment – https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/environment-and-waste/street-care-and-cleaning/our-newcastle
NewcastleGateshead Initiative – Ambassadors Website
newcastlesoftheworld.com 