I have been reading about the successes of citizens’ assemblies around the world, including in the United Kingdom, and in New York. What then are citizens’ assemblies and how do they get set up, and work?
A citizens’ assembly is a group of people who are brought together to consider a public issue, and recommend actions to the local government authority. These members hear evidence, question witnesses and deliberate with one another, somewhat like a jury.
There are various ways of selecting people to take part. Often it is by ballot from electoral rolls. It is important to have a group of people who reflect the wider population, in terms of demographic.
Citizens’ assemblies follow a three step process. They learn from experts, they deliberate and consider what they’ve heard, and they then make a recommendation to the local authority.
So, what are the advantages of citizens assemblies and what are their weaknesses?
The assemblies offer policymakers an insight into public opinion on a contested basis. This public group has had access to thorough and unbiased information, and time to deliberate. They can call their ‘own’ expert witnesses, particularly if they wish to make a case against a council policy. If a suitable cross-section of the community is part of the assembly, it can be a very good adjunct to democratic government. Although, our council purports to consult widely before making decisions which affect us, that consultation is not always transparently good. An assembly will behave transparently.
There are often activists who are regularly involved in protesting local body decisions, and most Ponsonby News readers could name one of two who are well known in the Waitemat-a Local Ward. These people work hard to promote their ideas, and their opposition to many council projects. The felling of the Western Springs pines and the position of the Erebus Memorial are two recent examples.
The make-up of the citizens assembly is critical. What to do about the half dozen or so outspoken activists who would insist on being on the assembly - just place them on without them going through a ballot, or must they take their chance in the draw?
Of course those activists must be involved, and history overseas tells us that outliers mostly come to heal when their opinions are thrown out by 95% of the assembly members. This is a help to local government democracy, allows strong minded outliers to fully have their say, even bring along their own ‘experts’. Finally, the majority carries the day.
The process of developing and planning the assembly is critical to its success. Running one requires significant expertise.
The funding of assemblies must be decided. Some overseas pay about the same as jury service, to ensure suitable, particularly young people, are not excluded. It seems from my reading that some take too long over topics. A council brief, followed by a general discussion, then a calling of assembly members’ experts, followed by further discussion should only take a handful of hours, perhaps over several days.
How many members should a citizens assembly have? This varies greatly around the world. Of course, the bigger the group, the more difficult the organisation and coordination, and the longer it will take to involve everyone. Still, too small, and it is not significantly democratic. My estimate would be about 100 members. The chair will be critical, and probably a small committee of perhaps five.
I would envisage the assembly convening about three or four times a year on the most important issues, including annual budgets and rate assessments.
I’d be pleased with feedback on this proposal. At 82 I would not be putting my name forward to run an assembly, but would be happy to be involved in the setting up of one.
I think a well run citizens assembly in Waitemata could significantly aid democracy, take some pressure off elected members, and push most activists into compliance or compromise. It would not, and should not, push the Lisa Pragers or the Gael Baldocks out of the picture. They would be valuable members of the assembly, albeit sometimes challenging for the chairman. (JOHN ELLIOTT)
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