UK Consult

*Happy Birthday Gaffer!

Jonno celebrates (still) his 28th Birthday next Monday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONNO! Christmas spirit may formally commence thereafter. To formally celebrate the occasion his dog Betty makes a rather unexpected Paddington Bear-esque noise at circa the 4 minute mark! Check out the similarity here> https://youtu.be/VBku6tXLDo4

*Twitter Poll

Hot on the heels of Elt's Meldrew moment last week about the diminishing size of crisps (chips if you're in the US!) in the UK, Elt 'formally' consults with the Twittersphere, with the results conclusively confirming his motives for grumpiness.

*Jonno Craven's Newsround (click on links below whilst listening to Jonno's expert insight)

Public consultation on wheelie bins waste plans slammed as 3% of New Forest residents respond with only two days left > https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/wheelie-bins-new-forest-consultation

Potential New Prison in Buckinghamshire – Public Consultation > https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/potential-new-prison-in-buckinghamshire-public-consultation

Online public consultation on transforming disused quarries into solar farms > https://newsbook.com.mt/en/online-public-consultation-on-transforming-disused-quarries-into-solar-farms/

*Wordplay at the Table

How will Jonno react when he hears the following words and phrases? What nuggets of wisdom can he pull out of the bag this week, whilst in a standing position?

Substantial

Locked in

Barriers

*Site/Project Launches of the Week in EngagementHQ

Elt is super impressed by Leeds City Council's festive "Beeston, Belle Isle, Holbeck, Hunslet & Middleton Winter Wonderland Walks" project. Have a look at it here. (We do love a mapping tool on the UK Consult!)

> https://yourvoice.leeds.gov.uk/winter-wonderland?tool=guest_book#tool_tab

*Jonno Launches of "Top of the Pops" Style Digital Engagement Hit Parade

Top Numbers of Contributions on EngagementHQ sites in the last 7 Days!

1) Tower Hamlets Council = a stunning 598 Contributions!

2) Consult Cambridgeshire, a multiple projects EngagementHQ site which has had 8,000 site visits, with 3,000 actively engaging over the last 7 days alone!

3) One Borough Voice, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.

Special mention and shout out also, to the Buckingham Gateway Proposals' EngagementHQ site, who have had a staggering 68% engagement rate on their project from all those who have registered to get involved. Check it out here! > https://www.buckinghamgateway.co.uk/

*Stats/Infographics of the Week

Royal Town Planning Institute revealed some interesting responses from industry professionals in the  RTPI report "The Future of Engagement", released yesterday. Have a look below and read the full report here. >

https://www.rtpi.org.uk/press-releases/2020/december/more-than-half-of-uk-public-want-to-be-involved-in-changes-to-their-local-community-post-pandemic/

Jonno highlights the following Stats (as if you haven't had enough today already you lucky lot! Click on links below)

Journalists are the fourth-least trusted profession in the Ipsos Mori Veracity Index with trust score of 23% > https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/most-trusted-professions-uk-2020-journalists-newsreaders-falter/

Trust in TV newsreaders drops from 61% to 50% in a year > https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/most-trusted-professions-uk-2020-journalists-newsreaders-falter/

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is grumpy about "serious" Christmas decorations like Driftwood Christmas trees and wants a bit more of the old school tacky and bright stuff. He's also despondent about batteries, both in terms of how long they last, and the lack of them being supplied with gifts.

Elt is really grumpy about, and mystified by, over 90% (MINIMUM) of his pants coming out of the washing machine inside-out. WHY? HOW?

Elliot Sim and Sarah Pritchett, Sector Projects Manager at the Waste Management Institute of New Zealand (WasteMinz), discuss how WasteMINZ quickly changed its project approach and methodology due to New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020. Initially looking to run a series of face-to-face regional hiu (or meetings) across all of New Zealand, WasteMINZ changed its approach to a purely digital one. They found success and increased participation due to the inclusivity and accessibility of online engagement.

What we’ll cover:

- The goals of the recycling consultation and how they were conceived in the initial planning process

- Adapting a community engagement approach during the COVID-19 era that successfully reached over 60 regional councils over 3 months

- How to combine regional hui (via Zoom meetings) with EngagementHQ’s tools that are available to collect feedback 24/7 during the consultation period

Tune in as Elliot Sim, Business Development and Practice Lead at Bang the Table, speaks with an industry expert on how to adapt your engagement strategy when face-to-face meetings are not possible.

SPECIAL GUEST! Chloe Juliette from World Famous Pollsters Ipsos MORI

Elt & Jonno are delighted (10/10 on the excitement scale no less!) to be joined by Chloe Juliette from Ipsos MORI. Chloe is a Social researcher specialising in public and stakeholder engagement, with a passion for inclusive and asset-based practices. Chloe is an avid "UK Consult" fan and talks through her deliberative engagement work at Ipsos MORI. Thank you for joining us for a great discussion Chloe!

Towards Innovation in Online Public Deliberation

How do you harness the unique capacities of the online world for deliberation and dialogue? A recent report from Ipsos MORI shared findings from an expert workshop they conducted with Engage Britain. Jonno & Elt were keen to find out more about the findings from Chloe. You can read and download the report here.

Chloe reflects on an exciting project back in June, drawing together a broad range of people representing a wide range of sectors, using Miro in workshops around deliberative online engagement.

A real stand out was the human-centred design element as opposed to tech focus in the discussions. Participant-led discussion was a really valuable outcome from the workshops, and the exciting sense of the sheer scale that online engagement presents us with.

Peer-led deliberation was also an important emergent theme throughout.

Jonno highlights the fears many people have about speaking up in face to face meetings, and the inherent benefits those people can have in the online environment to have their say, and be heard! Click on the links below and learn more!

PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY AND FEAR OF BRAIN FREEZES (https://nationalsocialanxietycenter.com/2017/02/20/public-speaking-and-fear-of-brain-freezes/)

Can Britain face its fears? 1 in 3 employees would reject their dream job if it meant facing biggest fear | Jobsite Worklife (https://www.jobsite.co.uk/worklife/can-britain-face-its-fears-1-in-3-employees-would-reject-their-dream-job-if-it-meant-facing-biggest-fear-24514/)

Glossophobia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossophobia)

Chloe highlights that AI is becoming more plausible as a tool and will become available quicker than we think!

Meldrew Moments

Chloe is grumpy about the continued emphasis on loss rather than what can be gained so positively from online engagement. She's also mandated the British public to STOP USING INTERNET EXPLORER! :-)

Jonno is really disappointed about gadget based Christmas gifts he's seen advertised and equally downbeat about coffee combined with vitamins in one jar. Whatever next?

Elt is really grumpy about the ever-diminishing size of crisps, now having to eat multiple bags in one sitting to compensate.

Jonno is BACK with a BANG!

After a couple of weeks off Podcast duty, Jonno is refreshed and raring to go, and "decompressed", back in his rightful place at the head of The UK Consult table, and he's got his eyes on MULTIPLE global Podcast awards!

Charly's Choons of the Week

Jonno introduces Country music to the Podcast in the form of Ruthie Collins. Listen to her track "Cold Comfort" here!

Elt has been listening to an ambient version of Deftones - Passenger, remixed by Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park. Have a listen here!

News Roundup with John (Jonno) Craven

It may be a long time since John Craven hung up his Newsround boots, but Jonno revives those memories in a new UK Consult feature, with the following headlines from the world of public consultation.

Click on the Headlines Below to Get Yourself in the Know!

3rd Annual Citizen Engagement and Deliberative Democracy Festival - EU Science Hub - European Commission

The Faulks Review - Judicial review under threat? — The Consultation Institute

New public consultation on total ban of online advertising for unhealthy foods

£6.1 billion plan to radically overhaul the region’s transport network

Council urged to ask locals before imposing controversial Edinburgh traffic scheme

Move over John Craven! (Pictured below... circa 1980)

EngagementHQ Site/Project Launches of the Week

Newry, Mourne and Down Council's "Living Well Together" project launched this week, much to Jonno & Elt's excitement. Beyond looking amazing in the new Appearance Editor in EngagementHQ, Jonno describes the project in more detail. Have a look here!

BCP Council launched an incredible new site in EngagementHQ this week, with way more than just a stunning coastal banner at the top. Elt describes their approach and you can see the main site page here.

Their first project launch is called "Transforming Travel," and already has an impressive number of resident contributions to their Ideas board. Check it out here!

Mug of the Week

This week sees an unprecedented dual award for mugs of the week with Chloe Durrant and the BCP Council team clinching the site launch award, and David Patterson and the team at Newry, Mourne and Down Community Planning Partnership scooping the project launch.

Now, can Jonno retrieve the mugs from his lockup?

Word Play at The Table

What nuggets of pure public consultation GOLD can Jonno come up with for the following words and phrases after Bang the Table colleagues Mel & Charly set such a high bar in his absence? Stay tuned for this...!

Boisterous

Candid

Chiming in

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is still.......yes, STILL grumpy about traffic reduction schemes and ongoing lack of consultation with the public. He's also grumpy about grand plans for moon and space travel, before things on earth have been sorted out properly. Priorities!

Elt is being stopped in his tracks by slow walkers as he continues his quest to beat his personal best 3 mile walking time, whilst adhering to the requisite social distancing measures.

Tribute to Hector

Jonno's dog Hector very sadly passed away over the weekend, so Charly & Elt decided to do an ad hoc surprise podcast recording for him this week, as a special tribute.

Welcome to the UK Consult - Mel Hagedorn from Bang the Table Australia!

This is a first for the UK Consult as Elt and Charly welcome Australia and New Zealand Bang the Table Territory Manager Mel Hagedorn on to share her pearls of wisdom and experience, in addition to an awful Penguin related joke of course!

Charly's Choons of the Week

Elt's been listening to Roni Size's New Forms album, an absolute BELTER from all the way back in 1997. Have a listen here (https://open.spotify.com/album/0RFE2IiZa7OCGrEZngGlGJ).

Charly's all Dancy this week, with a fantastic selection of chilled dance, taken from the Disclosure playlist. Check it out here(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJCkQhz3X0)!

Mel's into high octane, high pace music when at the gym. When working, maximum concentration is required, so here's a Spotify playlist (Classical music) called exactly that (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX0wdQKgYFb7Q)!

Word Play at The Table

What will Mel & Charly come up with as Elt poses the following words and phrases to them?

Determination

In Depth

Supportive

EngagementHQ Site/Project Launches of the Week

Elt & Charly are so excited to see the launch of Community Gateway's EngagementHQ site, an incredibly visually appealing site presided over by the fabulous Thomas Maughan. Take a look here (https://www.gateway2engagement.co.uk/).

Mel describes the changes in the States around Australia with a shift beyond the use of surveys, into much more innovative ideation based consultation approaches with clients in Australia.

Mug of the Week

Proudly awarded to Thomas Maughan at Community Gateway for a CRACKING site launch!

Meldrew Moments

Charly is bemoaning the lockdown and the absence of a good old fashioned Fireworks display for families to attend. The lockdown came in a day before November 5th this year, meaning it was a "watching through the window" event for families across the UK. BOO!

Mel is annoyed about Bluetooth headphones running out of charge during workouts at the gym, exposing her to the demotivating likes of Bon Jovi.

She's also grumpy about online chat with certain companies. They could learn a LOT from the brilliance of our Bang the Table support team!

Elt is perplexed by the soul patch at the top of his forehead, providing further compelling evidence that his head has indeed gradually turned upside down over the past 10 years!

Mel's Webinar Shout Out!

On Thursday, Mel is hosting a webinar about engaging with indigenous Australians. Don't worry if the timezones prevent you from attending, we'll circulate a recording afterward. If you want to sign up, you can do so here (https://www.bangthetable.com/resources/webinars/engaging-with-indigenous-australia/)! Enjoy!

Twitter Poll of the Week

Jonno's latest poll may not QUITE have broken the internet, but his "Which of these is a Substantial Meal" Poll has a winner!

Charly's Choons of the Week

Jonno has been delving back into the 80s and early 90s with The Cure's smash hit "Just Like Heaven" Have a listen here (https://open.spotify.com/album/2mJPi0xA1CwMYEemYkuUPK?highlight=spotify:track:5ft1GmMZA4uNX7afvQfDLn)!

As the UK grapples with who is in Tier 1,2 or 3 lockdown, and mass confusion reigns supreme, Elt's been soul searching with The Pixies classic "Where Is My Mind," which you can listen to here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49FB9hhoO6c).

Word Play at The Table

What will Jonno take out of his considerable thought microwave to snack on for the following words and phrases?

Camaraderie

In Sync

Call My Bluff

EngagementHQ Site/Project Launches of the Week

Now, we LOVE a mapping tool on the UK Consult, and this week we are very much feeling the love for Tower Hamlets' Liveable Streets Whitechapel project launch in EngagementHQ which you can see here in full (https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lswhitechapel).

Have a zoom around in the Whitechapel Interactive Map here (https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lswhitechapel/maps/whitechapel-interactive-map) and see the many valuable contributions of residents who can share their ideas and suggestions as well as raising concerns and pertinent issues for the Council to respond to and remedy as needed.

Jonno is very enthused about Wirral Council's approach to "The New Brighton Master Plan" whilst highlighting forthcoming projects they plan on launching. Check out their site here (https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/)!

From our global Bang the Table colleagues across the pond, Jonno highlights City of Kansas City Missouri's really REALLY cool map, "The 5 Big Questions." (https://playbook.kcmo.gov/get-involved/maps/map-the-big-5-questions)

Mug of the Week

Proudly awarded to Tower Hamlets Council after Elt's vociferous pitch for them! Well done!

Stat of the Week

Conspiracy Theory: Coronavirus was probably created in a laboratory..........believed by 30% OF PEOPLE!

Meldrew Moments

Elt is experiencing a whole new set of video conferencing challenges he didn't think were even possible. It's given him the major grumps!

Jonno is apoplectic about seemingly law-abiding citizens wearing their masks/face coverings then just throwing them on the floor after leaving a shop.

Shoutout to BtT Colleague Jodie House!!!

Australia based, UK born and bred Bang the Table colleague Jodie House has NEVER listened to the UK Consult Podcast before, and with some flimsy excuses (at best) for not doing so, but can Jonno guess what sector she focuses on in her work, and what her favourite TV Show is, based on her name alone?

Charly's Choons of the Week

Elt's been listening to 'Tears' by The Stone Roses, have a listen here(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRg7oV6q05Q)! Should it be spelt "Tiers" though?

Jonno is back from his 80s cheese last week, and re-enters Charly's Choons with the FAR more respectable Flawless - Phunk Investigation Club, check it out here (https://open.spotify.com/track/5oUH9Rl2PdFklGKc9kMBkE?si=taAhQ9eQSdGQIeIeAX6wsw)!

General Themes

Jonno highlights the lack of public consultation over important local planning, highlighting an article in which "Ealing councillors face dramatic vote over their leader and traffic controversy in extraordinary meeting." Read it in full here (https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/ealing-councillors-face-dramatic-vote-19133511).

The controversy continues with Project Big Picture as Man United and Liverpool plot a European Super League, in secret, with NO consultation with other English clubs, let alone fans.

EngagementHQ Site Launch of the Week

Greater London Authority - London Plan Guidance.

Londoners can have their say across all aspects of the London Plan in a fantastic new EngagementHQ site, including;

Good Quality Homes for All Londoners

Public London Charter

Circular Economy Statements

Be Seen Energy Monitoring Assessments

Whole Life-Cycle Carbon Assessments

Royal Docks and Beckton Riverside Opportunity Area Planning Framework

Jonno highlights a great consultation from our Bang the Table client in Australia, Livingstone Shire, Exploring the 2021-22 Draft Budget, who "want to give residents the opportunity to understand what goes into building the budget." They are using Balancing Act! Inspirational indeed!

Mug of the Week

Proudly awarded to Natalie Wells at Greater London Authority! HURRAH!

Word Play at The Table

What descriptive magic will Jonno come up with for the following words and phrases?

Tumultuous

Tongue-Tied

Posturing

Meldrew Moments

Jonno has just discovered, aged 35, what a headache is! He's also grumpy about digital exclusion as a throwaway comment. We need to be far more understanding about digital poverty and factor this into our product development. BRAVO!

Elt is annoyed about the number of oversized Turkeys being prepared for small Christmas gatherings in the UK. On the plus side, however, they may survive the winter slaughter and go on a New Years diet and live a long, happy life.

Charly's Choons of the Week

Jonno is haunted by throwback music (Abba, Tina Turner) on Spotify (other music streaming platforms ARE available). It's unanimously agreed that none of this can be shared with the public.

Elt has enjoyed the dark recommendations of Bang the Table colleague Johannes Kresling this week. Nominated track is Nine Black Alps, Unsatisfied. Have a listen here.

Twitter Poll

The UK was divided North/South over the big "What's Best with Chips?" debate. With only 4 options available to Elt (unlike EngagementHQ Polls!!!), Curry & Brown Sauce lovers were left disappointed.

General Themes

Project Big Picture - We can no longer take a "DAD" (Decide, Act, Defend) approach to engagement and consultation. Check out the Fans' response here (https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fan-groups-unite-to-condemn-project-big-picture/).

Ipsos Mori published a really insightful report called "Towards innovation in online public deliberation", which you can read in more detail here (https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/towards-innovation-online-public-deliberation). Great stuff!

EngagementHQ Project Launch of the Week

A MASSIVE shout out to Ben James & the East West Rail team who not only launched their Community Hub in EngagementHQ today, check it out here (https://communityhub.eastwestrail.co.uk/), but celebrated the launch with an introductory video, which you can watch here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdg7ehbe-8k&feature=youtu.be).

Mug of the Week

Drum Roll - Undoubtedly awarded to Ben James at East West Rail! Congratulations!

Word Play at The Table

What will Jonno come up with for the following words and phrases?

Fear Factor

Probability

Chess

Meldrew Moments

Jonno is really grumpy about the sheer arrogance and lack of consultation shown by the big Premier League football clubs around 'Project Big Picture,' which isn't EVEN backed by their own fans let alone all the other clubs and fans across the country. We'll continue this grumpy theme into subsequent weeks as fans and clubs continue to react. Watch this space...

Elt is really hacked off with the ineptitude of clingfilm. Jonno reveals his many interesting uses for the cardboard inner, none of which include recycling it...

As with all Special Guests on the UK Consult, Elt opens with the really big questions the public want to know, like "What's the best accompaniment to a bowl of chips?" Twitter Poll to follow so everyone can have a say.

Caitlin talks through her PhD research and how the emphasis has changed since the global pandemic, and as always has a fantastic new infographic to guide the discussion taken from this blog post (https://www.commonplace.is/blog/blending-online-and-offline-community-engagement).

General Themes

Caitlin has interviewed over 40 practitioners throughout her research, surveying them on their evolving approaches to digital engagement. The shift towards using digital tools has been rapidly accelerated by the impact of Covid19.

Organisations are thinking far more constructively about blended approaches to engagement and how to integrate individual tools/toolkits more flexibly, with inclusion in mind. There is no one size fits all.

"Trust is one of the most essential objectives towards best practice engagement, tying in with facilitation and leadership..." (Caitlin)

Infographic of the Week

The Healing Power of Cat Purrs (https://www.dailyinfographic.com/the-healing-power-of-cat-purrs-infographic)

Cat owners might be onto something. According to today's infographic, our feline friends provide us with more than just emotional support. House cats may actually be contributing to our physical well-being by offering soothing cat purrs!

Meldrew Moments

Caitlin is grumpy about queuing etiquette and awareness at the traffic light system in her local M&S petrol station.

Jonno is STILL grumpy about lack of meaningful consultation on cycling lanes, but heartened by Kent County Council's approach to this. He's also unhappy about the appearance of hair in unwanted places as he navigates his way through midlife. He's also lost faith in teaspoons in opened bottles of Prosecco keeping the fizzy bubbles in.

Elt is disappointed about the fundamental design floors in cat litter, which invariably lead to most of the litter being spread around the house after each visit. Or are the cats themselves more to blame for this? 🐈

Charly's Choons

Jonno's been listening to mellow music, in particular a Spotify playlist called "Dislocation Songs" by Awkward Corners. Have a listen here (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2qeMec3m9AN6h0SDAtVjvA)!

General Random Observations from the Week

A young Jonno (pictured left below in a striking James Bond T-shirt) never did get the autograph of Ruth Madoc from Hi-De-Hi in the early 1980s in Bournemouth.....the one that got away! Little did Ruth know then the future stardom and fame that awaited that youngster on the global Podcast stage!

NEW PODCAST THEME - INTRODUCING...Word Play at the Table!

Elt invites Jonno to take part in a new word-based public consultation and community engagement game. Will it make the cut through to the final release?

This week's words/phrases ARE:

Root & Branch

Mind Games

Level Up

Emerging Trends & Themes in Online Public Consultation and Community Engagement

Jonno & Elt reflect on the GovTech summit which ran online yesterday. There is now a really clearly defined HUNGER for online participation and inclusion, this IS the moment! Plan for the long term, invest in technology! Invest in it now!

Mug Awards of the Week

In this new feature, Jonno will send out two mugs each week from the massive stash of Bang the Table merch he found in his cupboard. One is attributed to a perceived failure, one an overwhelming positive award! This week's mug winners and losers are;

1) Mug Loser: Matt Hancock, for turning up late to the GovTech Summit mainstage then straightening his tie as if the computer screen was a mirror.

2) Mug WINNER! The North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee for launching a great new site in EngagementHQ. Hurrah!

Project Launches of the Week in EngagementHQ

Elt is really enthused by the launch of the Preston & South Ribble Flood Management Scheme (https://nwfrm.uk.engagementhq.com/), in particular the highly visual scheme overview page which you can see by clicking here (https://nwfrm.uk.engagementhq.com/preston-and-south-ribble-flood-risk-management-scheme).

Jonno is really excited by US based McCandless & Me's Backyard Chickens Zoning Amendment project, here.

He is even MORE impressed by US Marketing colleague Christie Cutter's natural ability to squeeze FOUR chicken related jokes into a single sentence whilst describing it. Another Bang the Table comedy superstar is born???

Stats of the Week

67% - This represents the number of people polled in the North who aren't confident about the UK Government's pledge to "Level Up" in the North over the next 4-5 years.

Meldrew Moments

Jonno has reasons (at LEAST 3) to be grumpy this week;

1) Lack of public consultation on cycling and footpaths.

2) Reading glasses: He owns 20 pairs so as to never be without a pair to hand, but can't find ANY of them.

3) Citizen's Assemblies. #DelibWave

He is however very excited about (https://www.involve.org.uk/resources/methods) Involve's Toolkit of Participatory Methods which addresses the third point.

Elt is grumpy about trolling, not just on Twitter and Facebook (other social media platforms ARE available) but extending into virtual conferences, with people taking personal agendas into online meetings and trolling guest speakers, which limits participation by other guests who are put off by it.