Over 800 people vote to spend £20,000 in Scunthorpe

In a break from PB tradition in the UK, voting in this PB process wasn't at one event but through postal votes or at voting stations. 

The organisers chose postal voting because it gave everyone an opportunity to vote - not just those that could attend an event.  And as a result, 17% of all residents in the Acorns area voted - which is a very high percentage compared to many other PB prcesses both in the UK and abroad and compared to other community consultation and engagement in the area. 

Every houseshold was given a postal ballot in a newsletter which provided plenty of information on the community safety projects being proposed.  There were also a number of events around the area where people could meet and discuss the proposals.

Voters could choose 4 projects that they thought should be funded and the votes are now being counted to see which projects get the funds.

Measures were put in place to ensure that people couldn't vote more than once.

Acorns Neighbourhood Manager, Jenny Gavin-Allen, who organised the PB process said

"The neighbourhood has been buzzing and we've had some great discussions about community safety issues with residents - they certainly think it's a good process."

Community engagement was a key part of this process with organisers focusing on engaging with the traditionally more marginalised or excluded groups to great success.  Early indications suggest that a number of people in these groups did vote - many more than anticipated. 

The evaluation which is starting now will provide more detailed information on voters and the projects that were funded.