Dr John May

Break policy logjams

Integrate the views of the public with expert testimony, break policy logjams and deliver sustainable action programmes

Some policy issues are so complex that even the experts can't agree on the way forward. Too complex, of course, for Jo Public to understand, so there would be no point in consulting her. Right? Wrong! The natural tendency is to leave the public right out of the picture in these situations, but this is to miss the point completely. Handled in the right way, ordinary people have an extraordinary capacity to weigh up conflicting evidence and reach logical, sustainable positions.

Case Study - Register Office

Most London Boroughs have just the one Register Office for registering births, marriages and deaths. Closing the two offices in the London Borough of Barnet and relocating to a third, central site therefore seemed logical and cost-effective.

However, there was strenuous opposition from the community and a Citizens Jury* was convened to look at the issues in more depth. It soon became apparent that the service efficiency arguments were not as clear-cut as had been assumed; that the financial arguments were more finely balanced than had been thought; that the architectural implications were very complicated; and that the social consequences were far-reaching and had not been thought through. The Jury examined the issues with great rigour and proposed the retention of the two existing offices in order to meet the very particular needs of the communities in the Borough. Their plan was adopted.

This case study shows how inviting the public to bring their own perspectives to bear on the scrutiny of complex issues can provide a generally acceptable and thus sustainable action plan. While Citizens Juries can break policy logjams, they do need careful preparation and require expert facilitation. Contact John to discuss how a Citizen's Jury or related technique could break your policy logjam.

* A Citizens Jury typically consists of sixteen local people, randomly selected from the population and screened to ensure that they reflect the demographic make-up of the area. They spend up to four days listening to the technical and other arguiments and then deliver their own, considered opinion on the way forward. The combination of expert testimony, detailed scrutiny and public opinion is irresistible.