e- for economic - Will tougher times signal renewed interest in new technology for participation?

These are remarkable times, with thoughtful people concluding that the tectonic plates of economic, social and political structures are shifting. A few short months ago, we looked at Banks as among the most commanding heights of our economy; right now, the motor industry is on its knees and virtually every other business battening down the hatches and adopting a survival strategy.

Wisely, the Government has avoided making matters worse with huge public expenditure reductions, so Councils and other public bodies will not face drastic cuts ... for now. But the destabilising effect of the seismic shifts all around us, and the inevitably increased demands for some services in times of recession changes everything. In particular, the climate of decision-making changes and, with previous certainties now a distant memory, there is a tendency to veer towards the cautious, and to avoid taking risks. But the world is not standing still in other respects. All the talk of “engagement” or “empowerment” is not really a top-down phenomenon; it happens to be the way that politicians are responding to the revolution in communications, and individual’s ability to contribute. The credit crunch won’t stop this trend ... and adds particular difficulty for Managers under immense pressure to spend on services. How, under such circumstances, can they justify spending large sums on new ... or even quite old technologies for public participation?

In fact, there is no choice. Public bodies neglect the new agenda at their peril. Tough times will increase people’s desire to become involved. Just look at the research data that suggests that involvement rises in Councils where performance gets worse; contentment can breed apathy ... and there’s not a lot of contentment going to be around in the near future!

So, if we’re going to have to find cost-effective ways to engage, is now finally the time to make a more serious attempt at the new technology channels? eConsultation has been around for some time, and most public bodies have experimented to some extent or another. But, with some notable exceptions, few organisations have made a strategic commitment – most have just dabbled, with success or failure linked closely to the calibre and enthusiasm of those directly involved – and their ability to persuade others. For every Bristol or Redbridge who have made impressive progress there are three others where the software they bought lies largely unloved or unused.

Three things now change:- 1. The new Local Democracy Bill will prescribe that every Council (and in practice lots of other organisations) must offer an ePetitions system. Whilst this is just a small specialist application of the eParticipation suite, do not be deceived. Citizens who start using this will not understand why the other functions are not also available 2. The rapid absorption of Web 2 functions, with its huge emphasis on horizontal as opposed to vertical communications, will make existing public sector websites look obsolete pretty quickly 3. The economic logic of eParticipation finally begins to make sense. Cost per contribution has always been cheaper with eConsultation – but the set-up costs and the overheads of training etc have deterred many from proceeding just for the cost savings. But, when looked at over the much wider spectrum of public engagement – rather than just formal consultations – and with the growing need to interact with more and more citizens, businesses and other stakeholders – the savings become more visible

Local Strategic Partnerships might usefully consider joint purchase and operation of these systems; it’s the essence of joined-up working. There is also the option of buying a service from specialist Companies who offer many of the benefits of these systems without the time and trouble to manage the facility.

So despite the doom and gloom, paradoxically this is likely to be the very time when investment in new technology becomes the right option.

Trigger points

• Is your organisation committed to the use of modern eParticipation, or does it need help to understand what’s available and how to make the business case? Consider the Cost-effective Public engagement in challenging times
• Talk to your IT – or ICT departments to see if they are well briefed on eParticipation and understand its significance.
• Consider the brand new Institute training course on Effective eParticipation, delivered by Fraser Henderson
• Advance Notice:- Technologies for Participation 2009 – a comprehensive Seminar in London.

This is the 130th Tuesday Topic; a full list of subjects covered is available for Institute members and is a valuable resource covering so many aspects of consultation and engagement