Policy Making

• Identifying Issues: Policies can be quite random although we are told there tends to be an overarching strategy be it around issues such as transport or health.

• Agenda Setting: Once issues are identified, they need to be placed on the political agenda. This is where local communities need to be involved. From the beginning; all to often this in not the case.

• Policy Formulation: This is where the actual crafting of the policy takes place. Experts, policymakers, and stakeholders collaborate to develop potential solutions. Research, analysis, and feasibility studies are crucial in this stage. We would argue that it is exactly at this point local communities have an equal input not just a token consultation.

• Consultation and Feedback: Before implementation, policies often go through a consultation process. The methodology around this is key to the process. All to often individuals and local people are left out or consulted when a decision has already been made.

• Decision-Making: Policymakers, often elected officials or government executives, review the proposed policy. Who decides is a key component, often academics or senior council officers or politicians make the final decision but that needs to be embedded in genuine democracy. So, if a local council finds itself cash-strapped, and has to shut down a leisure centre, which is key to the health of the people that live there is there an option to transfer that over to the local community.

• Implementation: Once a policy is approved, it moves to the implementation stage. This involves putting the policy into action, which could include setting up new programs, allocating funds, or enforcing regulations.

• Evaluation: Periodic reviews assess the effectiveness of the policy. If it’s not achieving its goals or has unintended consequences, adjustments may be made. So many times once a decision is made the powers that be stick to it, not because it’s a wise choice but to save face. HS2 is a classic example; there was significant evidence HS2 would not bring any advantage to the people in the North of England but it was dogmatically pursued at a significant cost and disruption to individuals and local communities.

• Identification of Issues: The process typically begins with the identification of issues or problems within the local community that require attention or solutions. These issues may arise from community needs, citizen input, or external factors.

• Research and Analysis: Once issues are identified, local government officials and staff conduct research and analysis to gather relevant information, data, and perspectives. This may involve consulting experts, conducting surveys, and analyzing existing policies.

• Public Input and Engagement: Local governments often seek input from the public, including community members, stakeholders, and interest groups. Public hearings, town hall meetings, surveys, and other forms of engagement are used to gather feedback and ensure that diverse perspectives are considered.

•  Drafting Policy Proposals: Based on the information gathered and public input received, policy proposals are drafted. This involves outlining the goals, objectives, and specific measures to address the identified issues.

• Review and Revision: Draft policies undergo review by relevant government departments, legal experts, and sometimes external bodies. There may be opportunities for further revisions based on feedback from these reviews.

• Legislative Process: : The specific legislative process varies depending on the form of local government. In some cases, local councils or boards deliberate on and vote to adopt policies. In others, there may be a need for approval from higher levels of government. The policy may go through multiple readings, discussions, and votes before adoption.

• Implementation: Once a policy is adopted, it needs to be implemented. This involves putting the proposed measures into action, allocating resources, and coordinating efforts among various government departments and agencies.

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Local governments typically monitor the implementation of policies to assess their effectiveness. Regular evaluations help identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement.

• Feedback and Adjustment: Based on monitoring and evaluation, local governments may seek feedback from the community and stakeholders. If adjustments or amendments are needed, the policy can be revised to better achieve its intended outcomes.