[open-government] UK: Councils and neighbourhood networks: new survey findings

[Steven Clift]

Key finding IMHO: "Neighbourhood websites are valued as the most
useful online channel, above others such as Facebook and Twitter, by
officers and elected members." - Steve

P.S. If you are interested in connecting globally with those who run
local online community sites/forums/blogs/social nets, join our online
community of practice: http://e-democracy.org/locals


Links at:
http://networkedneighbourhoods.com/?p=907

Local council officers and elected members regard neighbourhood
websites as the most useful online channel, above others such as
Facebook or Twitter, according to our latest survey results. The level
of awareness of these sites has increased significantly over the past
year. The survey report suggests an increasing need for council
guidance on how to interact with sites.

This is the second Networked Neighbourhoods survey of council officers
and elected members. Our first was conducted a year ago and the report
is available here. See also Section 4 of our 2010 main study,
‘Relations with councils‘.

Key findings

Neighbourhood websites are valued as the most useful online channel,
above others such as Facebook and Twitter, by officers and elected
members.

Those claiming that they are aware of one or more neighbourhood sites
in their area increased from 63 per cent in 2010 to 84 per cent for
members, and from 55 per cent to 92 per cent among officers
responding.

The proportion of members who perceived local sites to be negative
dropped 5 per cent, from 17 per cent a year ago.

Nonetheless, in 2011 the proportion of members who feel that
relationships with sites can be described as ‘co-operative’ is about
50 per cent, compared to two thirds in 2010. Among officers the trend
is in the other direction: from 53 per cent in 2010 to 67 per cent
this year.

Some 90 per cent of members feel that they should read and contribute
to neighbourhood websites as active participants, compared with 65 per
cent in 2010.

Members and officers recognise a broad range of pro-social and
co-productive roles, such as ‘quickly identifying issues of concern
for residents’, acting ‘as a link to council online services’ and
‘sharing council news and information on council services and events’.

Officers and members reported more concern about getting involved in
protracted or discordant conversations than in 2010.

Internal barriers within councils are still constraining their ability
to take advantage of neighbourhood websites. These include
restrictions on the use of the internet, the lack of council clarity
on responsibility for interacting with the sites, and the lack of
council guidance.

Some of these barriers (such as internet skills and access) are
practically soluble within authorities without much difficulty. The
other barriers call for an informed awareness-raising approach, which
requires the leadership of agencies representing the local government
sector.

Hugh Flouch, Kevin Harris

Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
  Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
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