This is a very interesting question. We...
This is a very interesting question. We often have representatives from Fire and Rescue services attend our seminars and events, so it seems there is quite a bit of interest in the sector.
We know that fire & rescue services are good in terms of community engagement and that it's a clear part of their remit.
It seems unlikely that individual fire & rescue services would have a budget that could be used for PB (although do correct us if we're wrong), however, working in partnership with other agencies around topics such as community safety, anti social behaviour, and social housing seems like a really good way to tap into partnership funding and be involved and able to influence the process to support fire & rescue community engagement aims.
Through the community engagement networks that fire and rescue have already developed you can spread word about PB events in the area - get people involved - both in terms of suggesting or developing projects and in voting as well.
Local fire stations have also been allocated monies by PB for small campaigns or events they want to do in the area - such as fire awareness training, free smoke detectors, clean up days etc. Fire stations have put in a bid for a project and the community have decided it's a worthwhile cause and have supported it. Again, these kinds of local projects can also come from local partnerships.
If you'd like to discuss this more, please do get in touch via the contact details (top of the page, left hand side or bottom right for non-electronic communication on all pages) on our website.
The Participatory Budgeting Unit is changing!
We need to move beyond the ‘Councillors know best’ approach in Edinburgh
The People's Budget workshop at TPAS conference
