One of the primary purposes of local government is to give effect to the right of local citizens to determine how they wish their town or county to be governed and by whom. Throughout history local democracy has been at the heart of empowering local communities and nation building, with many examples of where local elections in new democracies took place before national elections.
In Ireland in 1999, a referendum was passed giving effect to a Constitutional Amendment that inserted into Bunreacht na hÉireann the first provision that recognised local government as a forum for the democratic representation of local communities.
Over the past couple of decades local democracy has extended beyond the representative role of the elected member. Community representatives have been brought into the decision-making process of local government. Local appointees are now included in Municipal and Strategic Policy Committees, City and County Development Boards, Joint Policing Boards and local Policing Forums. Furthermore the establishment of many local single purpose bodies such as Drugs Task Forces, Partnership and Leader Boards, RAPID Committees and Local Special Project Groups are in the main comprised of local interests with public representatives playing a lesser role.
Despite these advances in involving more people in local decision-making and the allocation of resources for projects, active participation in the policy matters formulated by local authorities has not increased. There is a great need to invent new ways of encouraging people to become more involved and have their say on important decisions made by Councils.
Examples could be learnt from other countries where higher rates of participation exist. The holding of plebiscites on certain issues, public deliberations, the creation of citizen panels to evaluate proposals, surveys and questionnaires seeking the views of local people or Town Hall meetings are just a few, yet simple ways that could promote local engagement.
Better use of the Internet, electronic communications and modern digital solutions can provide a new and innovative way for local authorities to engage more personally with their local community.
At the first meeting of Bray Town Council following the June 2009 local elections David put down a motion calling on Bray Town Council to participate a Participative Democracy Scheme in Little Bray with the objective of improving the build environment of the area, raising the level of local services provided by the Council and secure funding for enhancement works. This is a proposal that David intends pursuing.