“The Peoples Budget” is a new campaign coming soon that will community groups win a direct say in how our taxes are used. Whilst a few councils have been excellent at giving us a say on how our money is spent there are still massive “deserts” where ordinary people get little or no say. This campaign is about helping you persuade (or fight!) for a right to be involved.

You may have already taken part in a "Participatory Budgeting" event which gives local people a say on how public budgets should be spent in our neighbourhoods. It has been tested over 150 times in last decade all over Britain to make the best use of council, police, housing and health money. To be really effective it is locally owned and repeated regularly. And to be clear, we are not talking about online “budget simulations” which are consultations exercises that still leave the power with the usual officers.

Many budget holders at schools, councils, social landlords, etc recognise that decisions are better when the people affected by them are involved. So we should be pushing at an open door!

I am looking for community GROUPS to host a workshop. I stress group because the minimum requirement is that 5 or 6 people from one group are equipped from half-day workshop to run a successful campaign. Obviously we'd expect other people to be energised by it too!

To help this happen we can pay for 3 young advisor time in 1 location.

If this offer is of interest please get in touch with Alan Thornton on 0161 2369321 to discuss.