APPENDIX 24
Memorandum by the Lewisham Council
I am writing to submit evidence to the inquiry by
the Select Committee on Public Administration into "innovations
in citizen participation in government". In 1994, Lewisham
Council embarked on an ambitious programme to find new ways to
enhance participation in public life and include local people
in the Council's decision making. The Council has tested and evaluated
a wide range of methods and techniques including citizens' juries,
a citizens' panel, and on-line consultation. We have also recently
reviewed the impact of consultation on decision making. I enclose
a number of documents that I hope will assist in the Committee's
work:
— The Lewisham Listens Democracy Project,
summary evaluation report, May 1997
— Lewisham Citizens' Panel, first year
report, Office for Public Management, January 1998
— The Dialogue Project, report to Lewisham
Council Democracy & Governance Sub Committee, 24 February
1998
— Consultation—does it make a
difference? A review of the impact of consultation on decision
making, September 1999
— Young Peoples Referendum—Your
Vote, Your Choice, report to Lewisham Council Executive Committee,
8 September 1999 (including leaflet)
— The Democracy Project and Young People—an
evaluation, report to Lewisham Council Democracy and Governance
Sub Committee, 31 March 1998
I also enclose a number of publications relating
to citizen participation initiatives including:
— Leaflet for members of the Lewisham
Citizens Panel
— Citizens' Panel newsletters
— Hearing the Messages—consultation
update, May & August 1999
— Good Practice—a guide to consultation,
August 1999
Lewisham Council would also be pleased to provide
oral evidence if the committee would find this helpful. Please
contact me if you require any further information.
Stella Clarke
Policy & Partnerships Unit
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