Developing Local E-Democracy in Bristol - From Information to Consultation to Participation and Beyond

Hilton, S.

Aslib proceedings 2006 58 (5)416-428
(ReLIS:jul:onkfhj:y:2006:v:58:i:5:p:416-428)

Abstract:

Purpose - Bristol City Council has received national and international recognition for its local e-democracy work. This paper seeks to tell the story of three phases of development of local e-democracy in Bristol. In summarising findings from the national evaluation of the Local E-democracy Project, the paper also aims to consider stage four - where Bristol's e-democracy programme is headed next. Design/methodology/approach - Bristol acted as a lead authority on the evaluation of the Local E-democracy National Project. This was a large multi-method academic study, which set out to examine the aspirations and experiences of a variety of 'actors' involved in more than 20 e-democracy pilot projects across England. Professors Stephen Coleman of the Oxford Internet Institute and Ann Macintosh of the International Tele-democracy Centre at Napier University undertook the evaluation, working with Bristol City Council as part of an E-democracy Experts Group. Findings - Findings from the national evaluation have been published in reports covering 'top-down' (authority-led) and 'ground-up' (community-led) approaches to local e-democracy. This paper applies evaluation findings to Bristol City Council's experiences. It highlights how authorities can use e-democracy to move between information sharing and consultation and then to creating space and conditions for ground-up participation. Research limitations/implications - The paper focuses on common themes, rather than an in-depth account of all of the national evaluation findings as they relate to each project that was considered. As a case study, this paper concerns the particular experiences of Bristol City Council. Practical implications - The study offers insight aimed at local authority e-democracy practitioners. Originality/value - Over the past five years, Bristol City Council has accumulated considerable practical experience of local e-democracy. The authority has benefited from a close association with leading academic experts, leaving it perhaps uniquely positioned to share learning from critical self-reflection.

Keywords: Gobierno electronico
Pages: 416-428
Volume: 58
Year: 2006
Issue: 5

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