How do you get elected members to be passionate about PB?
Elected members are constantly responding to competing pressures and agendas. They will be balancing party allegiances, electoral opinion and a wide range of statutory regulation and monitoring. It is not surprising they may feel that participatory budgeting might only complicate their work and reduce their role as elected representatives. Showing videos of actual experiences can be helpful, particularly where they show councillors actively supporting a programme. Encourage councillors to accompany you on a study visit. Consider holding special briefings for councillors before your pilot begins. Give them evidence of the possible impact and benefit of the work. Keep them informed and involved throughout the pilot. It is an important principle within PB that elected councillors or statutory accountable bodies retain their democratic powers and you need to factor in an opportunity for them to formally approve decisions taken by community participants to fully legitimise the process.
