One of the biggest complaints about engaging in local democracy is that things never change.

Which isn't true. Things do change - but public institutions are notoriously bad at telling people what has changed - and at keeping the people who first raise an issue or who are interested in an issue engaged throughout the (often necessarily) long process of policy making and taking action.

And that is why I've long been musing about the possibility of an issue tracker for local democracy. And why I've floated the idea over on Building Democracy.
If you're interested in how we can improve engagement right along the policy making process in local democracy - then do pop over and take a few minutes to read the idea and let me know what you think.

Building Democracy is another call for ideas along the lines of Show Us a Better Way - this time focussed on developing stronger democracy and with £150k to invest in some of the best ideas.

I would also encourage anyone else with ideas about improving the democratic process to head over and float their ideas. In particular, I've found that the link between youth participation and developing deeper forms of democracy that empower all citizens regardless of age is often underplayed - so it would be great to see both young people, and youth participation practitioners pitching in with their ideas.