I certainly think that local authorities should be collaborating on everything, instead of the vague competition aspect that central government encourages.

The thing about ’social’ media is that if public bodies don’t start to engage then active citizens will force their hand somewhat with actions like this.

Always happy to help people who are looking to dip their toes into the sometimes wobbly waters – from either side of the fence.

One thing I think we should bear in mind is how good is Birmingham in comparison with other local authorities? We can be critical, but maybe Birmingham Council is more enlightened than we think? Is anyone aware of other authorities doing it better? Which authority is considered “best practice” in using social media as a public consultation process tool? Is Birmingham an “early adopter? a “fast follower” or a “laggard”?

Perhaps there’s room for a collaborative group sharing knowledge about this subject across the 350+ local authorities in UK?

James Rock
http://cultivar.wordpress.co.uk

I really hope there is some institutional change – and think there will be, however slowly it happens – because the effort expended on helping engamenet here could have been used to do things extra to what could be done already – I’m not sure any of the people involved in the BCT site had the engery left to actually comment on the consultation.

I think you’re right – there may be more will to do more ’social’ online consultations but I think the City is still quite some distance from having effective mechanisms to actually undertake those consultations.

I suspect the example you’ve given here has opened the door for other citizens to do the same more than it will push the council into change. But then it’s the former than matters – that we become more active citizens – more than the latter.