Is Council spending your money on the right things?

That's the question a Citizens’ Jury of around 24 randomly selected Eurobodalla community members will be asked to consider after a new council is elected in September.

Under NSW local government legislation, Council must review the range and level of services it provides every 4 years and a citizens’ jury has been chosen as a way for the community to help develop its 4 year Delivery Program by making recommendations to the new council. The process involves jury members exploring the work Council does to consider the question ‘Is Council spending your money on the right things? If not, what should we change?’

Council has engaged not-for-profit research organisation newDemocracy Foundation to randomly select and then run the Citizens’ Jury. The first stage will kick off next week when 5,000 residents receive an invitation from newDemocracy, Mayor Lindsay Brown and Councillors to put up their hand to be in the running to be a member of the Jury.

newDemocracy Executive Director Iain Walker says ‘It’s important that the Eurobodalla community looks at the Jury and sees it is made up of everyday people, just like them. We will bring together a random mix of the local community, and give them the time and access to information needed so that they can reach a point of common ground on what they want from their local community. This is the opposite of an opinion poll and will be a process the broader community can trust.”

“This is the best opportunity Council can offer its community to be involved and influence decision making”.

The Jury will meet six times from September to November 2016. They will be given time to reach a consensus view about Council priorities and the range and level of services Council provides in a genuine, thoughtful, informed and meaningful way. Members will be able to ask for more information from independent specialists or community representatives of their choosing.

Council’s General Manger Dr Catherine Dale said the Citizens’ Jury is a fresh approach to shaping the future of Eurobodalla and one she is looking forward to sharing with the community, “We have chosen this method so that people who represent all sections and interest groups within our community can give feedback on the range and level of services Council provides and how he budget is allocated.”

All residents will be invited to attend a community stakeholder information session in August to learn about, understand and be involved in this project and find out how to make a submission to the jury.