Residents online: opportunities for councils?

THE LGiU (Local Government Information Unit) is conducting some research into how local councils are making use - or not - of citizen-run or 'hyperlocal' websites.

LGiU Blog Editor Rob Dale has studied the research into citizen online networks conducted last year by Networked Neighbourhoods. Rob is now asking Councillors and Council Officers to take part in a survey as part of ongoing research:

"Of people who use these sites, the study found only 13% were involved in ‘formal political’ activity, 59% felt able to influence decision-making processes and 42% felt their attitudes towards local councillors had improved. Importantly, nearly all councils identified such sites as being somewhat or highly ‘constructive or useful’.

Their work showed how local, citizen-run websites bring social benefits to residents and the potential for co-production and public sector savings. I am therefore very excited to be collaborating with Networked Neighbourhoods on a follow up exploration of how councils are making use of these local websites.

We expect this research to add further insights of importance to members and officers as local government adjusts to new relationships with citizens."

Want to get involved?

If you are a councillor and would like to take part in the research you can do so here: Councillor Survey.

If you are an officer and would like to take part in the research you can do so here: Officer Survey.

An event is being held later in the year at which the findings of these surveys will be discussed. Find out more at Rob Dale's article on the LGiU Blog or contact rob.dale@lgiu.org.uk

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Councils and Councillors - using Social Media effectively

FOLLOWING ON from earlier articles about local councils and councillors using social media and a hyperlocal approach, HU12 is sharing this presentation created by Adrian Capon at North Lincolnshire Council. The presentation - although rather long - explains itself:

Digital Marketing & Social Media Presentation North Lincolnshire Council Scrutiny Panel July 2011

View more presentations from AdeCapon

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Councillors and local government - 'hyper about hyperlocal websites'

THE HEDON BLOG is an example of a 'hyperlocal' news-gathering website. Along with others in the area such as Beverley's HU17.net, hyperlocals try to bring together news and information about an area in one online place so that it can be found easily by local residents.

However, local councils are beginning to realise the benefits that hyperlocals might bring to them. A conference was held recently on the Government's localism agenda which prompted an article on Learning Pool by Breda Doherty that asked the question: Why local government should be hyper about hyperlocal websites.

The article comments on the rise of citizen-run websites and the role they could play in local democracy and suggests five key benefits for local government:

1. Elected members can more accurately shape their political promises by listening online to what residents actually see as important. They can use these websites to get to better know the people who make up their wards/districts.
2. Councils can use them as a free research tool to find out how the public rate their services, what their concerns are and better determine where restricted budgets should be spent.
3. Councils can also increase the distribution of their traditional communications such as press releases by providing hyperlocal websites with this information to publish.
4. Show that they are not scared of public criticism by taking part in open, online coversations.
5. Look to hyperlocal websites for ideas on how to improve their own websites. Hyperlocal websites are popular as their content is interactive rather than static and discussion is encouraged rather than directed to a minefield of contact us sections or FAQ’s pages only to find out a generic response to their individual community issues.

The Hedon Blog has welcome participation from Hedon Town Councillors and occasionally runs press releases for that body. The East Riding Council and local MP Graham Stuart regularly send news releases to hyperlocals (and in the MP's case actually includes links to three of them on his website). However, the East Riding Councillors for the South West Holderness area currently have no relationship with their constituent hyperlocals.

Both the Hedon Blog and HU12 have a desire to work more closely with the formal democratic process - whilst maintaining a healthy independence from that process - and is keen to hear from local councillors about their ideas on how hyperlocals just might be able to help them.

Respond to comments below or at e-mail hu12@gmx.com

Note: Image from wordle

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