Local Government, local development and citizen participation

Traditionally the local government system had engaged citizens only in limited passive participation. It was no coincidence that the local development structures put in place to counteract the inadequacies in the local government system introduced different and innovative, opportunities for citizen participation. The scope for engagement in the processes of local government and governance has been significantly extended through a number of pilot initiatives as detailed in the preceding sections and especially through the partnership bodies. Most recently the establishment of County/City Development Boards has been an attempt to integrate local government and local development structures and to enhance participatory democracy. This paper looks at citizen participation in the local development/local government process and, through a series of case studies, puts formward a 10 point charter for citizen participation.