Towards the end of 2009 every Parish council in Norfolk received details on how to apply and a Steering Group, comprising Clerks, Councillors and residents of 6 Quality Parish Councils was formed.  The Steering Group met regularly, developing the details, planning publicity, designing the application form and guidance notes, shortlisting from the 54 applications received, and actively engaging in the running of the Decision Day event. 

21 shortlisted parishes attended the ‘Dragon’s Den’ Style Decision Day in February 2010, in front of 96 voters.  The occasion was introduced and opened by the NorfolkALC President Baroness Gillian Shephard who declared herself captivated and excited by the whole process.  Presentations were restricted to three minutes, and voting took place on electronic voting sets.  These were both fun and easy to use, and ensured that voting was completely anonymous.   All voters had to give an individual score for every project depending on how commendable they thought it was.  16 schemes, ranging from £250 to £5000, were fully funded and one part funded.  Successful projects ranged from a St. George’s Day village celebration, a Commons restoration project, outdoor exercise equipment, a village hall film projection system, a new cooker for both old and young to use, and funding to turn an eyesore roundabout into an area of beauty.

NorfolkALC’s aim was to make Participatory Budgeting visible at a grassroots level.  Getting local people to take ownership of local projects and the sharing of ideas will enable residents to see that they can make a difference, and can achieve a greater sense of community by actively engaging at this very local level.

Inspire East not only helped fund the use of the voting sets on the day but will also enable NorfolkALC to produce a booklet which will update all Norfolk County, District and Parish Councils on the progress of the successful schemes and also give other examples of Participatory Budgeting.

 Please visit our facebook site for the pictures from the day.

For more information on:
Participatory Budgeting visit the Participatory Budgeting Unit

To see how it worked in Norfolk visit Norfolk Ambition

 
The following Parish Councils received funding for projects in their parish:
Bacton and Edingthorpe - Village Traditional Show 2010
Beeston Regis - An Alternative Parish Plan
Blo Norton - St. George's Day Celebration 2010
Brundall - A new cooker for the Scout HQ
Dickleburgh and Rushall - St. Clements Common Restoration Project
Garveston, Reymerston and Thuxton - Open Space and Play Area Projects
Hopton-on Sea - New Village Halls Parish Office
Horstead with Stanninghall - Horstead Tithe Barn new tables and seating
Knapton - Knapton Community Group
Langley with Hardley - Village hall refurbishment
North Walsham - Outdoor Exercise Equipment
Postwick with Witton - Village Hall Film Projection System
Roughton - Roughton Youth Club
Southrepps - Southrepps Green Improvements
Stoke Ferry - Establishment of a Youth Club
Wacton - Village hall enhancements and sound system
Wells-next-the-Sea - The Polka turning Circle Revitalisation Project