For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of deliberative democracy or citizen juries/panels, we invite you to watch the following video created by Darebin Council quite some time ago. When most governments, organisations, and yes, local councils, are now embracing this concept which has gained popularity since the 1980’s, it is still astounding that we have troglodytes who promulgate the myth that citizen juries are ‘undemocratic’. The Darebin experience proves the exact opposite.
If this council is truly about an open, transparent, and accountable council, determined to work with the community, then establishing such a panel is the only way to go.
Glen Eira Debates 
November 19, 2020 at 4:27 PM
That was an inspiring clip – this is as extension of community reference group idea that are sometimes set up in Glen Eira – surely good outcomes could arise (be more likely) from such a set up with local experts and a diverse set of community involvement, if residents are then motivated to continue contributing to the functions of their council, This is true/better engagement. I would have thought that as council agendas are typically large (700+ pages) documents, and as councillors often have day jobs, that community panels would be of assistance, both sought and encouraged. Active residents are engaged residents
November 19, 2020 at 5:50 PM
Fab video.
November 19, 2020 at 8:42 PM
I understand that Glen Eira currently has 400 residents as a reference group – selected on the basis of diversity and representative of the broader community. This group is part of “Have Your Say”. Of course, a Citizen’s Jury is much more specific and usually focus on one particular issue. I am very interested as a new councillor who stood on a platform of grassroots democracy and greater openness and transparency how this concept might be put into practice. Have you heard of “Participatory Budgeting” https://www.participatorybudgeting.org/ which is an even more powerful concept. I will be holding monthly Open (no agenda) Zoom meetings for residents of Glen Eira from December (once I get a zoom account approved) which you will all be invited. Please give me feedback at Dzyngier@gleneira.vic.org.au or 0427319018 or on my Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DavidZyngierGreensForCamden
November 19, 2020 at 9:05 PM
Thank you for the comment Cr Zyngier. Grassroots democracy is certainly dear to our hearts. And ‘yes’, we are familiar with participatory budgeting and how it has worked in various organisations – Melbourne City Council, for example.
November 19, 2020 at 9:32 PM
You can have 800 residents or a 1000 as a reference group but if you keep asking useless questions then you might as well have zero residents. It all boils down to what you ask and what you want the answers to tell you. Might be an idea to let residents write their own questions to present to other residents? What do you think Cr?
November 20, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Jeff as I wrote above I will be holding OPEN meetings fro residents of Glen Eira – no agenda – just listening. I am trying to be as open and transparent as possible. I am looking forward to hearing from residents. When COVID is finally over and under control I will also be setting up a street stall in alternating shopping centres in Camden on a Saturday morning to actually meet residents face to face as well.
November 19, 2020 at 9:02 PM
I couldn’t imagine in my wildest dreams, Esacoff, Magee, Athanasopoulos, Cade and Pilling ever ceding a millimetre of their petty power to residents. Their love of power and abuse of that power runs deep in their souls.
Oh’ … the other point is they may be embarrassed into actually doing so work and supporting residents for the first time in their lives.
November 20, 2020 at 10:31 AM
I will not respond to personal attacks by anonymous posters.
November 20, 2020 at 2:34 PM
Let us give the new councillors a chance – they have their hearts in the right place – let us help them hear from residents – constructively – they will be able to have objective and constructive input into the pre- council meetings