Elliot Sim, Business Development and Practice Lead at Bang the Table, speaks with Sonia Gerken, Communications and Marketing Manager at Gore District Council, to find out how she transformed the council’s paper-based community engagement approach to a digital-first one.

Gore District Council quickly embraced online community engagement — launching their new engagement site with four major community projects. Within the first 7 months of engagement on Let’s Talk Gore District, Council published two more significant community projects, six in total, and amassed over 4,500 visits to the site. The Council has already achieved an engagement rate of 3.35% (a good to high rate based on global industry standards).

“Just do it. Don’t delay. Don’t think your community is not ready for it [digital-first community engagement], because they are.”
– Sonia Gerken, Communications and Marketing Manager at Gore District Council

Key Moments:

4:30 – Transition and reasons behind Gore’s shift to digital-first engagement
6:54 – Achieving internal buy-in for a transformational shift
9:06 – The community’s uptake of Let’s Talk Gore District
11:47 – Promoting your engagement project
12:55 – How to continually build a database
15:25 – Outcomes after launching Let’s Talk Gore District
17:30 -The Council’s community engagement goals for the next 12 months
18:38 -Advice for Councils that are considering moving to a digital-first approach

Episode 32: From Paper-Based to Digital-First Community Engagement with Gore District Council

In this episode, Jonno is entertained by our special guest Rhion Jones from The Consultation Institute. 

Join Rhion and Jonno as they reminisce about their shared history in the business of public consultation before tackling some big topics around: 

The need for extensive public consultation in the climate emergency response, and how this presents a dilemma to policymakers who just want to get on with it! 

Air Quality Zones and The Case for Clean Air where consultation cops the blame for many schemes failing.  "During the coronavirus pandemic, over fifty local authorities trialled around 200 low traffic neighbourhoods closing off local roads to avoid through traffic and dedicating the space to active travel. However, partly due to a lack of community consultation, some LTNs attracted strong opposition, and many of the trials were suspended."

How COVID-19 has changed public consultation with the government less able to run things on trust with a skeptical public who will demand to be consulted and be involved

New terminology like "the seldom online" and "blended engagement" and the importance of tackling the digital divide as more public consultation goes online

How public consultation is the bastion of evidence-based decision making, harnesses diverse thinking, and protects against the dangers of homophily for good decision making

A two-week consultation being better than no public consultation a tall and the role of online in fast track public engagement (think vaccine passports)

The big challenges ahead of training people to use civic tech as well as training participants to do it
And much more! 

BREAKING NEWS AND NEW INITIATIVES

Rhion also introduces two important initiatives from The Consultation Institute (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE) 

1. MIDAS the online database and single source of truth about public consultations across the UK 

2. The Institute's Online Dispute Resolution service for disgruntled consultees 

Jonathan takes time out to give a shoutout to Rutland County Council's brand new site Future Rutland where local people are being invited to discuss the future. 

Topics include:

What you value most about your life here in Rutland
What your expectations are for yourself and your family
What your expectations are for future generations

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council also get a special mention for their excellent project, Reimagining Your High Street, where the Ideas and Places tool are being put to great use to encourage local people to look past what may currently be present in their high streets and think of its potential and how we can re-energise these areas:

"Councillor Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning, said: “I am delighted to launch this informal engagement which looks at the future of our high streets across BCP. This is an ideal opportunity to create a bigger conversation that everyone can be part of and we want your views!

Now is the time to switch gears and reimagine our high streets which play a key role in creating a sense of place. They are the beating heart of our communities and we are determined to do whatever it takes to give our high street businesses the fastest bounce back possible.” (https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/)

TIME FOR JOKES? 
And yes we finish by sharing a bad joke each!

Rhion Jones (together with Elizabeth Gammell) is also the co-author of The Politics of Consultation available here

"It tells the tale of, mostly, well-meaning attempts to engage with people and civil society as public bodies and others seek to respond to demands for greater involvement and participation in decision-making. Politicians are caught in the middle of this, torn between enthusiastically supporting consultation – when it suits them, and nervous of its power to delay and divert them when rushing to make change happen."

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 31: Starring Rhion Jones from The Consultation Institute

Welcome to the UK Consult, our occasional ramble through all things about public consultation and citizen engagement in the UK, with special guests and lovely examples of online public consultation from around the world!

In this episode, public consultation in planning expert and author, Penny Norton, and Jonno talk about the new ebook, “Considering Consultation Content: Views from the Development Industry.”

Based on Penny’s own research and interviews with key stakeholders from the development industry find out what Penny and Jonathan think about this often overlooked part of public consultation and the planning process, consultation content.


"People in Planning: Is Consultation Content the Missing Piece of the Puzzle?" 

Main Topics and Key Questions

Has Penny discovered a new territory for discussion? Is this another part of the art of public consultation that requires a tad more scrutiny? How did Penny end up exploring this important topic?
Why is trust a big issue when it comes to consultation content?
Hear about Penny's views on the big gap between residents' expectations and what developers need or want to talk about? How do we choose the subjects for discussion? 
Jonno thinks that if he was a developer he would really be stuck between running a consultation where everything is under consideration or locking things down so that the scope is really narrow and mainly covers material planning considerations only. Penny has lots to say about this and tries to summarise it for listeners (despite the absence of diagrams on the radio!) 
Listen to Penny talk about differing views on the ability of consultees to engage in technical details. 
Jonno says people do want to talk about parking. They do want to talk about local traffic. But Penny makes it clear that they will often be out of scope. What can be done? 
Should developers be prepared to always embrace contentious subjects rather than shy away from difficult conversations? 
Find out about funneling content over a development’s timeline? We can’t do diagrams on the radio but Penny tries to describe it (again)?
And finally, what did Penny learn from this research?

Download People in Planning Considering Consultation Content: Views from the Development Industry

Join our webinar where Penny will present her findings and some exclusive content (diagrams included)

Penny Norton, UK consultant specialist and associate of the Consultation Institute, is going to sit down with Jonno on Wed, 30 June at 10 AM BST to discuss the release of her new ebook and stress the importance of consultation content in the community engagement process. Please book and share!  https://www.bangthetable.com/blog/webinar-people-planning-consultation-content/

Until next time!

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 33: People in Planning & Consultation Content with Penny Norton

The UK Consult, Episode 34, starring Becky Hirst, author of #1 Amazon Civics best seller: For the Love of Community Engagement, global Community Engagement Day co-Instigator, mentor, trainer, public speaker, and business owner. 

Welcome to the UK Consult, our occasional ramble through all things about public consultation and citizen engagement in the UK, with special guests and lovely examples of online public consultation from around the world!

In this episode, ardent community engagement practitioner and young Turk, Becky Hirst and Jonno share tales of their love (and hate (kind of)) for community engagement. In possibly the most detailed book review ever, during this recording, Jonno turned the pages of Becky's book, For The Love of Community Engagement (live in the studio) and the result is an epic session of shared stories and a dose of consultation catharsis.  

Main Topics and Key Questions

* Who else remembers saying Thatcher, Thatcher the milk snatcher? Rainbow drops? A computer room at work! 
* Is there an emergency in community engagement? 
* Jonno coins a new phrase, "Citizen Churn."
* The importance of community immersion for public consultation practitioners
* The value of storytelling and how #NotAnotherSurvey just is not good enough for meaningful engagement
* Why Becky is unhappy with Have Your Say 
* The need for leaders who are good listeners and a call for community engagement professionals to have a seat at the top table
* Why we must "have reams and reams of evidence, for those who need convincing about the value of community engagement   
* Dadirri or inner deep listening and why it matters
* Why do we need to go back to the future to fix citizen engagement and the public sphere

All this in one episode! Grab a cake and a coffee and take your time with this bumper episode of public consultation goodness. 

Until next time!

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 34: For the Love of Community Engagement with Becky Hirst

Welcome to the UK Consult, our occasional ramble through all things about public consultation and citizen engagement in the UK, with special guests and lovely examples of online public consultation from around the world!

In this episode, strangely, Jonno finds himself all alone in the virtual UK Consult studio. With an absence of guests, this time around he revisits the subject of blended engagement.    

Main Topics and Key Questions

- What does blended engagement look like in a peri-covid world? 

- What blend of methods should be used?

- How do we encourage continuous conversations?

- Making online public meetings more engaging

- The benefit of asynchronous engagement

- Doing digital stakeholder mapping

- Making public consultation more inclusive

- Creating safe places for public discourse

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 35: Blended Engagement with Jonathan Bradley

Welcome to the UK Consult, our occasional ramble through all things about public consultation and citizen engagement in the UK, with special guests and lovely examples of online public consultation from around the world!

In this episode, Jonno relaunches the UK Consult and introduces our new format. For the delight and entertainment of our zillions of listeners each month (we have decided to go monthly for now) we will include a Feature Topic, Shout Out, Special Guest and The Tool of the Month! 

This episode we cover the following sensational topics and glorious insight into citizen engagement in the UK (and further afield) 
 
What are the practical implications of the UK Government’s National Disability Strategy ‘inadequate’ and therefore unlawful consultation? In case you missed it and let’s face it most people were distracted by #PartyGate the UK government lost an important case in the HIgh Court on 25th January and this ruling has some important implications for people involved in changing public services and making public policy. Jonno talks about this at length in our Feature Topic

Our Shout Out this episode is to Derby City Council for their Let's Talk Derby Allestree Rewilding project. They have done a great job at using a good range of tools and widgets to help people to get involved in their consultation about Rewilding Allestree Park and the benefits it could bring to the city
Special Guest. There is no special guest this week but there will be next time, promise! 

Our Tool of the Week goes to Brighton and Hove Council for their use of the Places tool in their project focusing on Liveable neighbourhoods. Great job Brighton and Hove! 

All this in one episode! Grab a cake and a coffee and take your time with this bumper episode of public consultation goodness.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 36: Engaging citizens in changing public services

This episode will cover human-centred public consultation, a shout out to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, and much more! 

Welcome to the UK Consult, our occasional ramble through all things related to public consultation and citizen engagement in the UK. We'll have special guests and lovely examples of online public consultation from around the world!
 
In this episode, Jonno’s feature topic is human-centred public consultation and how it might affect the humanisation of the public consultation process. We also have our shout out, the tool of the month, and a new segment: the stat of the month (an homage to Stato). Plus, in the absence of a special guest, Wilson the tortoise makes his (or her) debut.  

1.	Feature Topic. What can we learn from human-centred design? What are your thoughts on applying concepts like direct engagement, context of use, and evaluation to the design of consultation projects? Do participant personas have more of a role to play? And much, much, more.
2.	Shout Out. Hammersmith and Fulham and their new(ish) site Have Your Say has a great call to action and an excellent explanation for why people should register. 
3.	Special Guest. In the absence of a special guest, Wilson the tortoise stands in. Please let us know if you would like to be our special guest in a future episode by emailing us at.
4.	Tool of the Month. Kingston Council’s use of the ideas tool in their project focusing on community parks. Great job Kingston Upon Thames council! 
5.	Stat of the Month. A new segment where we’ll highlight an impressive stat, in homage to Stato.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 37: Human-centred Public Consultation

Welcome to the UK Consult, our occasional ramble through all things about public consultation and citizen experience in the UK, with special guests and lovely examples of online public consultation and digital engagement from around the world!
 
In this episode, Jonno’s Feature Topic is an invitation to worry about simple yes or no questions or more precisely the problems created by introducing binary choices into public consultation questions. We also have our Shout Out, The Tool of the Month and return to our new topic: The Stat of the Month (a homage to Stato).

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 38: Binary Choices in Public Consultation Questions

The UK Consult Episode 39

In this episode, we are delighted to have Louise Darby from Leeds Federated Housing Association and Paul Nettleton from Catalyst Housing, as our special guests. We discuss the importance of resident and stakeholder engagement as a means of addressing the need for greater transparency and accountability in the housing sector (and beyond).

The UK Consult | Episode 40: Improving Accountability And Transparency In Housing

The UK Consult - Episode 41

Fraser Macdonald, Strategic Consultation Lead at Transport for London tells us all about TFL's successes since implementing EngagememtHQ platform.

The UK Consult | Episode 42: A Dive into Transport for London’s Digital Engagement Transformation

Welcome to “The UK Consult,” 

 

Our occasional ramble through all things public engagement and citizen experience in the UK, along with special guests and lovely examples of online citizen participation and digital transformation from around the world! 

In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by Sophie Harris-Edmond, Senior Experience Consultant at Granicus Experience Group (GXG), alongside our hosts, Karen Steel, Customer Success Manager, and Jonathan Bradley, Head of Business and Practice at GXG. 

We delve into what the GXG actually is and what the team gets up to, from communications projects to website re-designs and service design. Sophie explains the benefits of having consultants who understand not only the technology but how the public sector works day in, and day out. 

During our chat, we delve into a new type of consultation that focuses on design thinking and putting the stakeholder at the centre of your planning. We discuss: 

What sort of projects GXG works on. 

What Sophie’s passion—design thinking—means to her and how it has an impact in the public sector. 

The importance of having a clear understanding of what the end user wants, alongside building the tech. 

Post-it note heaven leading up to those “a-ha!” moments. 

A new communications strategy for the World Trade Centre. 

Service design in Mid-Devon Council... what do the services currently look like and what do we need them to look like?  

The importance of sharing expertise and knowledge to create recipes for service success. 

The GXG methodology: What are the client's priorities and how do they make it happen? 

The power of user research. 

A four-step process: goals, user, journey, content. 

Top tips for people embarking on their service design journey. 

All this in one episode! Grab a cake and a coffee and take your time with this epic episode of service design goodness and consultation across the globe. 

Until next time!

The UK Consult | Episode 43: Strategy + Technology = Success with GXG

In this very special episode, we are delighted to be joined by the one and only Mark Hynes, Chief Executive Officer at Granicus, alongside our marvellous hosts, Karen Steel, Customer Success Manager, and Jonathan Bradley, GXG UK Business and Practice Lead. 

Throughout this conversation we dive deep into Granicus’ mission of creating better experiences and outcomes for our customers and their communities, using modern technologies for social good, and WHY we are striving for this.

Music by: Bensound
License code: XMJ3LN2TLEE5N23E

The UK Consult | Episode 44: with Mark Hynes, Granicus CEO

The UK Consult | Episode 45: with Dan Rhodes

The City of Fayetteville, AR recently launched their online community engagement site, Speak up Fayetteville. They've found great success driving participation right out of the gate, driving over 2,700 visitors to the site in the first 30 days. 

So how did they do it?

Tune into this podcast as Linda Deberry, Program Manager at the City of Fayetteville, reveals how a centralized engagement tool, a strategic overlapping of projects timed to cross-pollinate participation, and an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ internal approach contributed to its successful launch.

Episode 11: The City of Fayetteville, AR brings community conversations online

As part of their new training course, Smart Engagement Techniques for the 2020s, Nick Duffin from The Consultation Institute (TCI) has invited Jonathan Bradley, Practice Lead at Bang the Table UK and TCI Fellow, to answer questions and provide insight into best practice digital inclusion and online participation. This podcast is a recording of Jonathan’s candid response.

Tune into this podcast for answers to the following questions;

1. What is 'digital inclusion'?
2. Why is digital inclusion so important?
3. Where can we emulate offline qualitative events online? And how?
4. What are the most effective ways of involving people online?
5. What online facilities will young people, the elderly, and the vulnerable use?
6. Are there software packages that incorporate all these things?
7. What should we be looking for in online solutions?

Episode 25: 7 Questions About Digital Inclusion and Online Participation

The concept of #NotAnotherSurvey has taken hold in the UK as industries and organisations are utilising technology that can take engagement and consultation to the next level by gathering more meaningful feedback with digital tools designed for open and creative public input.

With a number of buzzwords and new terms circulating the industry, we dive into a few that seem to be making an impact and changing the current tide of online consultation. 

-'Rapid Online Deliberation': In-depth and deep engagement online over a short period of time, due to quick decisions needing to be made by local leaders around COVID-19.  We have seen deliberative opinion polls created to analyse how attitudes change over the duration of a consultation, executed by launching surveys at the beginning and end of a project.  

-Building 'Online Communities' has been a common theme this week, predominantly in the education sector, as students and teachers have moved to online classrooms and need a way to maintain a sense of community while lesson structures change.

  -Many professional bodies who previously spent a lot of face to face time at events have been discussing 'Member Engagement' and replicating these events in a safe and moderated online space with the help of digital engagement platforms.

-Explore the difference between 'Synchronous' and 'Asynchronous' digital consultation, as well as the creative shift we expect to see between the two, as this new normal of virtual interactions set in.

Tune in to hear how these ideas are leading to positive and impactful changes in the digital consultation world.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 1: Rapid Online Deliberation and Other Buzzwords

Explore examples demonstrating the importance of organisations continuing, or getting back into, conversations and consultations with community and stakeholders in the online space. How do you manage deliberative workshops online? How do you do in-depth face to face meetings with stakeholders online? 

From fan engagement to resident consultation, organisations across the country are seeing the value of continuous conversations and involvement from their stakeholders. Housing associations are harnessing the power of digital engagement to maintain connectedness with their residents and keep them involved in ongoing decision making during this period of uncertainty. Barking and Dagenham Council have utilised online engagement in the launch of their Be First project, an inspiring and creative competition for children to create art in response to the changes taking place around them. This project has provided families an innovative way to get involved in activities together and create community cohesion outside of the typical dry consultation we often see. See the Be First Project > https://yourcall.befirst.london/gascoigne-yourplace-competition

As we ask more and more people to provide input and connect together in the online space, privacy and security standards are more important than ever before. Participants need to feel confident they are contributing in a safe space where personal information is secure and comments are moderated for protection against harassment and inappropriate messages.

Tune in to learn how communities and organisations across the UK are building cohesive environments with online communities.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 2: Community Cohesion and Recovery

Hardwired engagement is being woven into new industries and organisations to create a cohesive environment. We explore how organisations and healthcare programs are using employee and patient engagement to hardwire staff into their organisational culture and keeping people engaged in company mission and vision. 

With sustainability and wildlife conservation becoming a major topic in the 21st century, we are seeing the importance and impact community engagement has on conservation initiatives. A study in Tanzania found positive ecological outcomes when analysing areas where local community are more involved.

Another emerging concept coming out of digital engagement is the idea and strategy of “on your couch engagement.” Technology has enhanced engagement by providing convenience and ease of participation for the public. Participants can view multimedia content to help them understand and engage on topics that interest and affect them. This convenience drives higher participation numbers and improves the quality of peoples answers. 

Tune in for ideas on how to design your online engagement initiatives to coincide with this idea of “on your couch engagement.”

 Projects to watch: 

Southend on Sea Borough Council has launched with a new project called Good Neighbours, a place where people are inspired by good news stories and community supporting each other.  See how they are using online engagement to spread the good news.
https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/goodneighbours

NHS South Central & West Commissioning Support Unit. 1300 skilled professionals are providing expert support for over 80 NHS customers on a national, regional, and local level. Leading on the care and digital transformation, care analytics, and organizational development programs.  See how they have used online engagement to create a safe space for staff to engage, support, and work together.
https://jointheconversation.scwcsu.nhs.uk/nhs-south-central-west-csu

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 3: Hardwired Engagement, Wildlife & Healthcare Discussion

How does organisational leadership effect community participation, fan outreach, and the success of local projects and sports clubs?

With football season kicking off soon, we explore how Fan Engagement is different than general sales and marketing, and what that means for sports organisations. Learn how positive and bold approaches from leadership within the organisation lead to less commercialised outreach, and puts more emphasis on involving fans in improving the program, as well as its impact on community. 

We also discuss barriers of change and the unique opportunity we have right now to create a better public consultation experience for our communities. As lockdown has changed the way we communicate with each other, a hot topic recently is the idea and genuine experience of Zoom fatigue.  As Councils move their public meetings online, we share reasons why effective public consultation is not a Zoom meeting. 

Projects to Watch:
See how these two Councils are conducting effective and inclusive community engagement with the use of digital tools on EngagementHQ.

Tower Hamlets is including residents in discussions around the safest and most effective ways to begin reopening public areas in their community. Over 1400 contributions have been made to the Places tool on Let’s Talk Tower Hamlets. Community members are dropping pins on the interactive map, as well as sharing Ideas where walking, cycling and social distancing can be made easier in their area. https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/streetspace

In BeFirst London - It's Time To Lift The Curfew project, Council has drawn up exciting new plans to give Barking’s 500 year old Curfew Tower a makeover. They are engaging residents around plans of decluttering the approach to the tower, radically improving the landscaping, and introducing displays that explain its historical importance. Visit their project to see how BeFirst London is using digital engagement tools and multimedia assets to educate, inform, and work with their community on the redevelopment of this historical site. https://yourcall.befirst.london/curfew-tower?tool=survey_tool#tool_tab

Tune in to this week’s episode of THE UK CONSULT podcast for a deeper dive with Elton Daddow and Jonathan Bradley, and find out what’s made Jonathan grumpy this week.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 4: Leadership, Fan Engagement, And Zoom Fatigue

Join Elton Daddow and Jonathan Bradley as they explore Airport Engagement, digital consultations with impressive returns, and find out what’s coming soon to EngagementHQ!

Airport Engagement: 
Judge Jonno presides over an approach to community engagement and public consultation taken by a UK Airport.

EngagementHQ UK Project Launch of the Week:
 Only a week after launching their Safe Streets for Walking and Cycling project, West Yorkshire Combined Authority has received nearly 1000 public contributions on their interactive mapping engagement tool, Places. https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/safestreets/maps/safestreets  

Stat of the Week: "In 2020, 3.5 billion people don't have access to the internet!"  The internet has been a lifeline for millions of people during the coronavirus crisis. This startling statistic brings to light the need for more awareness of this digital divide. World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee brings this topic to the UN.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/in-other-news/120620/world-wide-web-inventor-tim-berners-lee-wants-everyone-to-have-interne.html

Meldrew Moment: A rough end to 'Social Distancing' for Elt in East Sussex

Tune in next week and find out what Elt discovers about Birdwatching Engagement. It should be a hoot!

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 5: Airport Engagement and the Internet

Lockdown Debate with Anna McKeon, Head of Engagement at Traverse, and Jonathan Bradley, Engagement Specialist and Practice Lead at Bang the Table.

When lockdown started in the UK, massive policy decisions were affecting millions of lives without the time or ability to properly engage with the public. Traverse utilised EngagementHQ to provide a space for people to talk about the crisis and host rapid online deliberation, useful for research purposes, policy and decision-makers in a range of context.   

What we’ll cover:

-How this completely digital consultation differed from previous consultations
-Organisational adoption
-Benefits found using the digital-first methodology
-How they recruited and involved a demographically diverse public in the discussion
-Participant reflections

Tune in as Anna McKeon, Head of Engagement at Traverse reflects on deliberative dialogue in the online space during #LockdownDebate.

Episode 27: Lockdown Debate

Join Debbie Knight, Community Engagement Officer at Mackay Regional Council, and Lauren Mitchell, Engagement Manager at Bang the Table, to talk about the importance of branding and driving traffic to your engagement site.

Mackay has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors to their engagement site over the last decade. Even still, traffic has drastically increased in the past year due to strategic marketing and redesigning efforts. EngagementHQ enabled Mackay Council to customize its site while simultaneously providing tools that were used for infrastructure projects and a place to keep communities connected during COVID-19. 

What they’ll cover:

-Internal adoption tactics
-Shifting your Approach to Engagement during COVID-19
-Building a Community in the Online Space
-Rebranding and marketing strategy tips
-Benefits of EngagementHQ’s versatility
-The importance of analyzing online stakeholder experiences on your site

Tune in as Debbie Knight, Community Engagement Officer at Mackay Regional Council, provides insight into managing a digital engagement platform.

Want more info? Read the case study: https://www.bangthetable.com/blog/a-decade-of-digital-engagement-mackay-regional-council/

Episode 28: Driving Traffic with Mackay Council

Dan Popping and the engagement specialists behind adapting the City of Onkaparinga’s community engagement strategy during COVID-19 discuss strategies and tactics to reach residents during a global pandemic.

When COVID-19 caused a global lockdown, Council had projects and initiatives planned for 2020, along with engagement strategies to accompany them. COVID-19 threw a wrench in those plans. Onkaparinga quickly adapted to the new reality COVID-19 presented by bringing authentic interview-style videos to their engagement platform along with a survey, online discussion forum, and the Q&A tool.
https://yoursay.onkaparinga.sa.gov.au/

What we’ll cover:

-How a genuine and authentic approach to informing residents improves resident comprehension
-Organisational and internal adoption
-Benefits of using a digital-first methodology, informing engagement strategies well beyond COVID-19
-Increasing participation on your engagement site
-How closing the loop improves the quality of resident feedback

Tune in as Dan Popping, Practice Lead at Bang the Table, interviews industry experts on how to adapt your engagement strategy during COVID-19.

Episode 29: Adapting Your Engagement During COVID - 19

A BIG Change is coming for the Podcast!
- What's Happening for the next two weeks? Tune in to find out.

Bradley's Bangers
-Jonno introduces Elt to the concept of 8D music. Find out more and take a listen here > https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRpYEytIHGyDgNWO6VbHlQ

-Caity's Beltas - Elt is inspired by a global Bang the Table colleague's Beastie Boys playlist, here > https://open.spotify.com/album/0nA01XOVBUoi1zDVVYKz4i?si=731fyYGJQ3iaxTF2mNMZBQ

Emerging Trends & Themes in Online Public Consultation and Community Engagement
Never before has moderation been more important to give people a safe space within which they can feel comfortable to express their opinions. 

Jonno & Elt are inspired by the innovation and ingenuity shown by new client East West Rail among many others, who came up with a fantastic introductory statement for their new Community hub to be launched soon in EngagementHQ. 

Project Launch of The Week in EngagementHQ
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham have really inspired Jonno with their approach to digital engagement. Check out their "Help us to enhance the heritage of Barking Town Centre" project here > https://oneboroughvoice.lbbd.gov.uk/consultation-on-the-barking-town-centre-conservation-area

Statkraft's "Greener Grid Park near Neilston" project catches Elt's eye this week. Have a look here > https://projects.statkraft.co.uk/neilston?tool=survey_tool&tool_id=feedback-form#tool_tab 

Stats of the Week
Jonno announces the possible "end of statistics" as his son William told him this week.

Elt has a whole range of impressive stats relating to Indian Cricketing legend Virat Kohli.

Meldrew Moments

Both hosts are super grumpy about Ofqual and the UK Government's handling of the A-Level and GCSE grading system, and total lack of engagement and forward planning.

They are equally grumpy about the sheer pointlessness of gas BBQs. It reminds Elt of a Food Standards Agency TV Ad, which you can see here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CIORN9pIg4

Jonno provides a Valuable History Lesson
Read about the Battle of Nantwich here > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nantwich

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 14: Inspirational Clients, Ofqual Gloom & The Battle of Nantwich

A BIG First for the Podcast as Charly Amos Takes The Mic from Jonno!

Charly's Choons
Charly is really inspired by the smooth grooves from Phil Taggart's Dance Weekend Special playlist. Have a listen >>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000lg8d

Elt has been listening to the acoustic genius of Alice in Chains' Jar of Flies track "Nutshell" >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_siJRgDlddY

Emerging Trends & Themes in Online Public Consultation and Community Engagement
Charly reflects on the first 3 weeks she has enjoyed at Bang The Table, and emerging trends around digital public consultations being on the rise since the global pandemic hit.

Judge Jonno - The Internet
Elt dons the Judge's hat this week to preside over the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport's approach to consulting the public on decisions relating to the internet.

Project Launch of The Week in EngagementHQ
Elt is really inspired by SES Water's new project (https://seswater.uk.engagementhq.com/west-park-road), consulting with the public on an important water mains renewal project along West Park Road in Copthorne. Charly notes that her in laws live in that area so is going to ask them to engage and give feedback next week.

Stats of the Week
20% (30 million) - The number of US based Twitter users each day. Charly notes that 80% of the tweets come from 10% of Twitter users, most of whom are women talking about politics!

1610 - The number of pin drops West Yorkshire Combined Authority have had from community members, consulting on their safe streets for walking and cycling project in EHQ using our mapping tool. They used 11 different pins >>> https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/safestreets/maps/safestreets

600 - England cricketer Jimmy Anderson breaks ALL records by becoming the first player in history to take 600 wickets in test match cricket. HOWZAT!

Meldrew Moments
Charly bemoans the lack of "good quality TV series" available since lock down, having finished Netflix.

Elt is REALLY grumpy about his local Council's inability to clarify how it is possible to get involved in a consultation.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 15: Charly's Podcast Debut, Internet Consultations & the Number 1610

Charly's Choons

Nostalgia is very much the watchword this week as Elt reminisces about The Smiths, and in particular Girl Afraid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK2BtdablXw), which you can listen to here. Jonno vows to diligently listen to the full back catalogue of Smith's music before next week's podcast recording. Will it improve his mood or will he need to dig out some classic Pet Shop Boys to cheer himself back up again?

Emerging Trends & Themes in Online Public Consultation and Community Engagement

Jonno is detecting a real change in approaches to digital engagement and online public participation with people tending to ask "How do I do it?" rather than "why would I do it?" There is more of a conversation shift towards what makes a good online public consultation.

This chimes with Elt's recent conversations in the Housing sector, looking to re-engage with residents and customers in the absence of face to face meetings.

Project Launches of the Week in EngagementHQ

Jonno is really excited about a raft of new NHS sites being launched in EngagementHQ, highlighting, in particular, the warm, inviting introduction made to residents by NHS Somerset CCG (https://citizenspanelsomersetccg.uk.engagementhq.com/), here. A great example of "setting the tone."

Elt talks through NHS Somerset CCG's Citizens' Panel Project, which you can see here (https://citizenspanelsomersetccg.uk.engagementhq.com/somerset-nhs-citizens-panel).

Judge Jonno - The Letter "L"

Jonno presides over Elt's deep dive into community engagement and public participation in the realm of local history. What will Jonno make of online digital engagement tool History Pin? Take a look for yourself here (https://www.historypin.org/en/connections-leeds/geo/51.507335,-0.127683,11/bounds/51.353219,-0.283709,51.660931,0.028343/paging/1)

Stats of the Week

Jonno is concerned about 4/10 people not trusting Scientists.

Elt describes the nation's feelings about daily government press briefings, with 55% of Brits thinking that the government should resume their daily Covid-19 press conferences, as coronavirus cases are rapidly rising.

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is grumpy about the public being excluded in terms of key decision-making, and equally grumpy about 'Influencer Marketing', or is he in denial about being a fashion influencer on the world stage??!!

Elt is extremely grumpy about plastic squeezy condiment bottles and their ill-designed lids.  

Register for one of our upcoming webinars: https://www.bangthetable.com/resources/engagement-webinars/engagementhq-an-online-demonstration-from-bang-the-table/

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 19: NHS CCG Projects, Condiment Bottles and Alexa's Intrusions

Charly's Choons of the Week

Jonno is haunted by throwback music (Abba, Tina Turner) on Spotify (other music streaming platforms ARE available). It's unanimously agreed that none of this can be shared with the public.

Elt has enjoyed the dark recommendations of Bang the Table colleague Johannes Kresling this week. Nominated track is Nine Black Alps, Unsatisfied. Have a listen here.

Twitter Poll

The UK was divided North/South over the big "What's Best with Chips?" debate. With only 4 options available to Elt (unlike EngagementHQ Polls!!!), Curry & Brown Sauce lovers were left disappointed.

General Themes

Project Big Picture - We can no longer take a "DAD" (Decide, Act, Defend) approach to engagement and consultation. Check out the Fans' response here (https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fan-groups-unite-to-condemn-project-big-picture/).

Ipsos Mori published a really insightful report called "Towards innovation in online public deliberation", which you can read in more detail here (https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/towards-innovation-online-public-deliberation). Great stuff!

EngagementHQ Project Launch of the Week

A MASSIVE shout out to Ben James & the East West Rail team who not only launched their Community Hub in EngagementHQ today, check it out here (https://communityhub.eastwestrail.co.uk/), but celebrated the launch with an introductory video, which you can watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdg7ehbe-8k&feature=youtu.be).

Mug of the Week

Drum Roll - Undoubtedly awarded to Ben James at East West Rail! Congratulations!

Word Play at The Table

What will Jonno come up with for the following words and phrases?

Fear Factor
Probability
Chess

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is really grumpy about the sheer arrogance and lack of consultation shown by the big Premier League football clubs around 'Project Big Picture,' which isn't EVEN backed by their own fans let alone all the other clubs and fans across the country. We'll continue this grumpy theme into subsequent weeks as fans and clubs continue to react. Watch this space...

Elt is really hacked off with the ineptitude of clingfilm. Jonno reveals his many interesting uses for the cardboard inner, none of which include recycling it...

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 22: Moonshots, Railway 'Platforms' & Project Big Picture Grumps

Jonno is BACK with a BANG!

After a couple of weeks off Podcast duty, Jonno is refreshed and raring to go, and "decompressed", back in his rightful place at the head of The UK Consult table, and he's got his eyes on MULTIPLE global Podcast awards!

Charly's Choons of the Week

Jonno introduces Country music to the Podcast in the form of Ruthie Collins. Listen to her track "Cold Comfort" here!

Elt has been listening to an ambient version of Deftones - Passenger, remixed by Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park. Have a listen here!

News Roundup with John (Jonno) Craven

It may be a long time since John Craven hung up his Newsround boots, but Jonno revives those memories in a new UK Consult feature, with the following headlines from the world of public consultation. 

Click on the Headlines Below to Get Yourself in the Know!

3rd Annual Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival - EU Science Hub - European Commission

The Faulks Review - Judicial review under threat? — The Consultation Institute

New public consultation on total ban of online advertising for unhealthy foods

£6.1 billion plan to radically overhaul the region’s transport network

Council urged to ask locals before imposing controversial Edinburgh traffic scheme

Move over John Craven! (Pictured below... circa 1980)

EngagementHQ Site/Project Launches of the Week

Newry, Mourne and Down Council's "Living Well Together" project launched this week, much to Jonno & Elt's excitement. Beyond looking amazing in the new Appearance Editor in EngagementHQ, Jonno describes the project in more detail. Have a look here!

BCP Council launched an incredible new site in EngagementHQ this week, with way more than just a stunning coastal banner at the top. Elt describes their approach and you can see the main site page here. 

Their first project launch is called "Transforming Travel," and already has an impressive number of resident contributions to their Ideas board. Check it out here!

Mug of the Week 

This week sees an unprecedented dual award for mugs of the week with Chloe Durrant and the BCP Council team clinching the site launch award, and David Patterson and the team at Newry, Mourne and Down Community Planning Partnership scooping the project launch. 

Now, can Jonno retrieve the mugs from his lockup?

Word Play at The Table

What nuggets of pure public consultation GOLD can Jonno come up with for the following words and phrases after Bang the Table colleagues Mel & Charly set such a high bar in his absence? Stay tuned for this...!

Boisterous
Candid
Chiming in

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is still.......yes, STILL grumpy about traffic reduction schemes and ongoing lack of consultation with the public. He's also grumpy about grand plans for moon and space travel, before things on earth have been sorted out properly. Priorities!

Elt is being stopped in his tracks by slow walkers as he continues his quest to beat his personal best 3 mile walking time, whilst adhering to the requisite social distancing measures.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 26: Newsround Returns, BCP Council Site Launch, and Slow Walkers

*Happy Birthday Gaffer!

Jonno celebrates (still) his 28th Birthday next Monday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONNO! Christmas spirit may formally commence thereafter. To formally celebrate the occasion his dog Betty makes a rather unexpected Paddington Bear-esque noise at circa the 4 minute mark! Check out the similarity here> https://youtu.be/VBku6tXLDo4

*Twitter Poll

Hot on the heels of Elt's Meldrew moment last week about the diminishing size of crisps (chips if you're in the US!) in the UK, Elt 'formally' consults with the Twittersphere, with the results conclusively confirming his motives for grumpiness.

*Jonno Craven's Newsround (click on links below whilst listening to Jonno's expert insight)

Public consultation on wheelie bins waste plans slammed as 3% of New Forest residents respond with only two days left > https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/wheelie-bins-new-forest-consultation

Potential New Prison in Buckinghamshire – Public Consultation > https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/potential-new-prison-in-buckinghamshire-public-consultation

Online public consultation on transforming disused quarries into solar farms > https://newsbook.com.mt/en/online-public-consultation-on-transforming-disused-quarries-into-solar-farms/

*Wordplay at the Table

How will Jonno react when he hears the following words and phrases? What nuggets of wisdom can he pull out of the bag this week, whilst in a standing position?

Substantial
Locked in
Barriers

*Site/Project Launches of the Week in EngagementHQ

Elt is super impressed by Leeds City Council's festive "Beeston, Belle Isle, Holbeck, Hunslet & Middleton Winter Wonderland Walks" project. Have a look at it here. (We do love a mapping tool on the UK Consult!)
> https://yourvoice.leeds.gov.uk/winter-wonderland?tool=guest_book#tool_tab

*Jonno Launches of "Top of the Pops" Style Digital Engagement Hit Parade

Top Numbers of Contributions on EngagementHQ sites in the last 7 Days!

1) Tower Hamlets Council = a stunning 598 Contributions!

2) Consult Cambridgeshire, a multiple projects EngagementHQ site which has had 8,000 site visits, with 3,000 actively engaging over the last 7 days alone!

3) One Borough Voice, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham. 

Special mention and shout out also, to the Buckingham Gateway Proposals' EngagementHQ site, who have had a staggering 68% engagement rate on their project from all those who have registered to get involved. Check it out here! > https://www.buckinghamgateway.co.uk/

*Stats/Infographics of the Week

Royal Town Planning Institute revealed some interesting responses from industry professionals in the  RTPI report "The Future of Engagement", released yesterday. Have a look below and read the full report here. > 
https://www.rtpi.org.uk/press-releases/2020/december/more-than-half-of-uk-public-want-to-be-involved-in-changes-to-their-local-community-post-pandemic/

Jonno highlights the following Stats (as if you haven't had enough today already you lucky lot! Click on links below) 

Journalists are the fourth-least trusted profession in the Ipsos Mori Veracity Index with trust score of 23% > https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/most-trusted-professions-uk-2020-journalists-newsreaders-falter/

Trust in TV newsreaders drops from 61% to 50% in a year > https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/most-trusted-professions-uk-2020-journalists-newsreaders-falter/

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is grumpy about "serious" Christmas decorations like Driftwood Christmas trees and wants a bit more of the old school tacky and bright stuff. He's also despondent about batteries, both in terms of how long they last, and the lack of them being supplied with gifts.

Elt is really grumpy about, and mystified by, over 90% (MINIMUM) of his pants coming out of the washing machine inside-out. WHY? HOW?

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 28: Jonno's Birthday Edition! The Future of Engagement & Stats GALORE

New Kids on the Block!

No, not THOSE New Kids on the Block, keep listening, it's ok! Elt and Jonno always welcome fierce competition for all of the global Podcast awards they are inevitably going to receive in the future. Today, Harry & Meghan, inspired by the UK Consult (undoubtedly?), try to take a massive competitive advantage based on their former Royal status and brand by teaming up with Spotify (other streaming services ARE available) in a multi-million pound deal to launch their own podcast. Nothing to worry about lads, as the British press widely report their first foray into Podcasts as "toe-curling" at best. 

Even Jonno's worst dad jokes haven't quite been received as badly (yet...).

Charly's Choons of the Week

Elt goes with the gargantuan tune, Liam Gallagher - "Once", featuring his idol Eric 'The King' Cantona. Cracking video! Have a look and listen here. 

Jonno has been grooving to Let Me Show You - Tall Paul Remix on Spotify.

Emerging Trends & Themes in Public Consultation

Jonno shares some findings from the IAP2 report in Australia, from our colleague Nathan Connors (shout out to Nathan!). They ran a survey around trends and opportunities for 2021. 

Practice - Huge continuing increase in online participation and consultation

Reporting & Analysis - More sophisticated reporting in relation to engagement data, aligned to Bang the Table's continued mission and always a point for discussion with EngagementHQ evolution in mind

Authentic Engagement - Greater demand for "authentic engagement" to include people in decision-making and make them feel that their opinion is valued and appreciated.

Jonno Craven's Newsround (click on links below whilst listening to Jonno's expert insight)

New walking and cycling schemes out to public consultation - KCC Media Hub - Shout out to Kent County Council for this!

PR push or public consultation? Row over calls made about new Dorchester housing scheme

Site Launches of the Week in EngagementHQ

Jonno & Elt are dazzled, excited and thrilled by Catalyst Housing's site launch, called "The Garden". Have a look here. 

Mug of the Week?

A thoroughly deserved, indeed, a MULTIPLE Bang the Table branded mug award for Anna, Paul and the team at Catalyst Housing - BRAVO!

Stats/Infographics of the Week

Ben Page, Ipsos MORI @benatipsosmori

New - a quarter of people now not looking forward to Xmas - but most of us still ARE!

Meldrew Moments

For the first time in 30 episodes of the UK Consult, Elt has a work-related Meldrew moment! It relates to a community planning 'consultation' in his local area.

In spite of turning into a sieve, a state of mind within which any droplets of grumpiness pass straight through Jonno this week before turning into reservoirs of despair, he still musters a melancholy moment relating to people sending birthday cards late.

THE UK CONSULT | Episode 29: Harry & Meghan's Debut, Catalyst Housing Site Launch, and Up-ticking

The first in a series of podcasts with Indigenous practitioners, Mel Hagedorn, Bang the Table’s Australia & New Zealand Territory Manager and Head of Client Services, invites Eddie Synot, Center Manager for the Indigenous Law Center at University of New South Wales, to discuss Indigenous engagement and developing the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

“In June 2020, the death of George Floyd saw an outcry of support for supporting social change for people of colour, especially in America. However, as an Indigenous Australian myself, I stood back in disbelief around the systemic racism here in Australia. 

In order to make positive changes for the betterment of our communities, we need to be educated on issues that impact those we are needing to engage. In the lead up to NAIDOC week 2020, Bang the Table is releasing a series of podcasts talking to Indigenous practitioners from all walks of life to give insight into Indigenous engagement, cultural insights to help engagement practitioners deliver culturally appropriate engagement.

This is part of my personal commitment to my profession to help educate and to end racism in Australia. 

Our first podcast is with Eddie Synot, Center Manager for the Indigenous Law Center at University of New South Wales. I met Eddie via a webinar he hosted on the third anniversary of the signing of the Uluru Statement of the Heart.” -Mel Hagedorn, Australia & New Zealand Territory Manager & Head of Client Services, Bang the Table

What we’ll cover:

• What does Uluru Statement of the Heart mean to you?
• How was the Uluru Statement of the Heart developed?
• How the project team connected with community members to get them involved.
• What advice would you give to Communications and Engagement professionals listening to this podcast about engaging with Indigenous communities?
• If people want to learn more about Indigenous history in Australia, what resources would you recommend they read, watch or listen to.
• What is next for Uluru Statement of the Heart, how can people become involved?

Episode 31: Australia’s Largest Deliberative Process 'Developing Uluru Statement of the Heart'

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