[ssf] Power inquiry & Burngreave

[Dan]

Hello all,

How the hell are you?  Dan here.  (SSF list - I've written to 
undisclosed recipients too, sorry!)

Some time back, discussion of power analysis was much about.  It's been 
bubbling away, and over the next three months a lot of stuff is going to 
be happening.

1. The Burngreave masterplan process has led to a lot of active (if 
implicit) work being done into power analysis - from how to address the 
council, to the ways that different government initiatives (New Deal and 
Housing Renewal) can be at loggerheads.  Of particular relevance is the 
gap between government rhetoric on 'active citizenship' and the power 
structures within which 'citizens' must act - the hollow masterplan 
consultation being a case in point.

I don't personally think this is anything to do with conspiratorial 
intentions.  I just don't think the issues have been focused on, or that 
anyone's really trying to join the dots.  (Although the inertia of 
millions of pounds of pathfinder money is not dissimilar to a great 
bulldozer flattening everything in its path, what choice do local 
officials have but to carry it through?)

My research is being stored here -

http://wiki.sheffieldsocialforum.org.uk/SpitalHill

As well as working to actually get local participation in the 
masterplanning process, and other work on food strategy and council 
decision-making (which is all happening slowly), I'm proposing to the 
SSF that a day of workshops / a mini-conference be organised - perhaps 
for the end of April - to

a. See what has been learned from the masterplanning process re. power, 
participation and governance (eek!)
b. Work out how to continue the work into the new Local Development 
Frameworks
c. Have a general day of participation and democracy 'auditing'  (must 
find less crap language.)
d. Work out what participation means, and how you really get it.  (e.g. 
training, support, slower development, forums that genuinely 'plug in' 
to the council's decision-making process, transparent and socially 
thoughtful procurement and tendering, etc.)

I'm writing about it now because I've spoken to these people -

http://www.powerinquiry.org/

- who are funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. 

To quote -

"The POWER Inquiry has been set up to explore, through public 
engagement, research and a high profile commission, the causes of our 
disillusionment and to examine new approaches to political 
participation. POWER will act as a forum for the best available thinking 
on the sources of political disaffection and will host debate and 
discussion across the country, to seek out solutions to this complex and 
pressing problem."

I've spoken to them, and they were very supportive of the idea of such a 
meeting.  In fact, that's what they're looking for - they want seem keen 
to make us 'power ambassadors!'

The disillusionment spoken of can only be made *worse* by using the 
rhetoric of active citizens, but then denying people a genuine say in 
the outcomes that affect them. 

So: fancy meeting to talk about stuff?  IMPACT are experts in this 
field!  But a lot has been happening since last we spoke!

I'll leave it at that for now, but please let me know your thoughts.

Also - anyone on this list from Burngreave: whilst this proposed 
workshop day will be 'supported by the POWER inquiry / by Sheffield 
Social Forum', it also needs to be locally supported.  A lot of work 
will need to happen leading up to this, if it's to go ahead - otherwise, 
we're just another bunch of people parachuting in, and treating 
Burngreave like a big laboratory.  That's not the aim.

By for now, anyhow.

Hope you're well,

Dan

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The true meaning of life is to plant trees,
under whose shade you do not expect to sit.