welcome

Welcome and thank you so much for participating in the Newham Permanent Citizens' Assembly!

Introduction

Newham’s residents have decided that ‘15 minute Neighbourhoods’ is the issue they want England’s second permanent Citizens’ Assembly to discuss this winter.

You have been invited and selected to join this Assembly to discuss and recommend ways the Council should help make Newham a better, happier and healthier place to live. This second Citizens’ Assembly will therefore examine how we can develop 15 minute neighbourhoods in the borough.

Your Big Question is;

How can we make sure that our local neighbourhoods are vibrant communities where people can work, meet, shop and access the everyday services they need within a 15 minute walk or cycle from home?

This Assembly is an important way of talking together, finding common views, and sharing ideas about to what is best for Newham. Together, you will listen and talk with range of speakers, have discussions with each other on things such as; What do you think is important? What are the challenges and opportunities? Who could be involved?

Your recommendations will create your Citizens' Assembly Report which will go to Newham Council in June.

This Assembly is the second in a number that will form a 'Standing Assembly for Newham'. You have been invited to take part in this second one at this point in time. We are keen to hear your thoughts and ideas about how events like this can work in the longer term and there may be an opportunity for you to get involved in others.

What is a citizens assembly?

Residents are brought together to consider what should be done on an issue. They hear evidence from a range of people about the topic. They get to discuss evidence they hear and have plenty of time to think. Facilitators help participants explore the evidence. Over time, the group arrives at a series of recommendations. The recommendations will be considered and responded to by the Council.

Why is it so important to Newham?

Giving people the chance to have their say forms part of a complete overhaul of democracy in the borough, designed to involve residents in decisions and build trust in the Council and make it a happier and healthier place to live. The Mayor set up a Democracy Commission to radically improve local democracy in Newham and there are a number of recommendations, including setting up citizens assemblies and community assemblies.

The Citizens’ Assembly is a chance to debate a key issue that most affects our lives, discuss and work together to find solutions to the issues, connect with other Newham people and share knowledge, hear from great speakers, present recommendations to the Council for consideration.

A permanent citizens assembly means that Newham has committed to run citizens assemblies every year, with a minimum of two a year.

We also run community assemblies where people can set priorities, establish community projects for your neighbourhood, influence decision making, and have a greater say in how local funding is spent. There are other programmes you can get involved in influencing your local area and you can find those online at https://newhamco-create.co.uk/en/

Has Newham organised citizens assemblies before?

This is Newham's second permanent Citizens' Assembly. You can read more about the first assembly by going to the "Greening the Borough" page.

What will happen next after the assembly?

The Mayor and her Cabinet will consider all the recommendations made, and give a formal public response to each one. As each recommendation will require time to review and understand what the Council can do, the public response by Cabinet will be provided by July 2022.

What are the roles of the agencies helping Newham run the citizens assembly?

The Democratic Society (Demsoc)

The Democratic Society is working with us to design the Citizens’ Assembly and will be instrumental in delivering these sessions. They are a non-partisan and independent organisation dedicated to building new democratic infrastructure that lets people involve themselves in the decisions that shape their lives.

The Sortition Foundation

The Sortition Foundation has been working with us to recruit local participants to participate in the assembly, ensuring that these participants reflect the diverse range of communities and groups in the borough. The Sortition Foundation is a non-profit organisation that exists to support and promote the use of democratic lotteries such as this.