Decision making and community participation
Participate for a better quality of life
The Electoral Commission1 and the Hansard Society cites democracy as 'ensuring that every citizen has a say in who holds power and that the power they hold is accountable and legitimate'. It is also said to be 'the extent to which people are politically engaged, therefore is of critical importance to the health of a democratic society'.
Democracy is important to quality of life because it allows people to have a say in decisions affecting their lives. Community participation can therefore be seen as active involvement within a community and the degree to which people participate a measure of it. Whilst there are many ways members of a community can participate, from airing views at a consultation to the volunteering of free time, electoral turnout is used here to measure of the level of participation in the Hertfordshire community.
Indicator SM1 - Electoral Turnout (average % turnout for Hertfordshire Local Councils and National Average For Local Councils)
Local elections were held in May 2006 and results show that turnout ranged from 33.7% to 45.3% across the county. This was lower than the previous year and is to be expected if a general election is not held, as was the case in 2006. Local Democracy Week was held 16-20 October 2006 celebrating democracy and highlight local government work.2
| Local Authority | % Turnout May 2006 |
|---|---|
| Broxbourne | 33.7 |
| Dacorum | No elections |
| East Hertfordshire | No elections |
| Hertsmere | 37.9 |
| North Hertfordshire | 38.9 |
| St Albans | 45.3 |
| Stevenage | 39.0 |
| Three Rivers | 42.8 |
| Watford | 39.8 |
| Welwyn Hatfield | 38.2 |
Source: LGC Elections Centre, Plymouth University October 2006
disclaimer
Community Strategies and Plans
Since 2000 the Local Government Act has placed a duty on local authorities to prepare community strategies. These aim to improve the environmental, economic, social and well-being of their areas and to contribute to the UK's sustainable development. The Act ensures that strategies are implemented democratically; requiring councils to be accountable, open and responsive to local needs. To actively involve and engage the community in local decisions is a central guiding principle in a strategy's creation.
It should also meet the following four objectives:
- Allow local communities to express their needs, aspirations and priorities
- Co-ordinate with organisations operating locally; council, public, private, voluntary and community
- Focus and shape both existing and future activity of those organisations to effectively meet the community's needs and aspirations
- Contribute to sustainable development with local goals relating to regional, national and global aims where appropriate.
The current strategies developed by local authorities in Hertfordshire are listed in the table below.
Community Plans and Strategies in Hertfordshire
| Council | Document Name |
|---|---|
| Broxbourne Borough Council | Community Plan 2007-9 |
| Dacorum Borough Council | Dacorum 2015 |
| Eeast Herts District Council | Community Strategy 2004-10 |
| Hertsmere Borough Council | Community Strategy 2006-20 (1st revision) |
| North Herts District Council | Community Strategy 2003 |
| St Albans City &District Council | Community Strategy for St Albans 2003-07 |
| Stevenage Borough Council | Stevenage 2021 |
| Three Rivers District Council | Community Strategy 2003-8 |
| Watford Borough Council | Community plan 2006-2026 |
| Welwyn Hatfield District Council | Welwyn Hatfield Alliance Community Plan |
| Hertfordshire County Council | Hertfordshire Together Community Strategy 2004-2010 |
Source: Herts District & Borough Council Websites Nov 2006 4
1 See www.electoralcommission.org.uk
2 See www.localdemocracy.org.uk
3 See www.communities.gov.uk
4 See our local councils page