SOUTH YORKSHIRE CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY
South Yorkshire’s Citizens’ Assembly – the biggest regional Citizens’ Assembly in the UK – has taken another step forward with the publication of its recommendations.
The Assembly was established by South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, as part of his pledge to put people at the heart of decision-making.
Expressing his support for the recommendations, Oliver Coppard, said: “I’ve made no secret of the fact I want to do politics differently. The views of people right across South Yorkshire must be central to how we develop policy and take big decisions, how we tackle the big challenges in front of us and take advantage of the huge opportunities.
“That’s exactly why I brought together 100 people from across South Yorkshire to take part in this pioneering Citizens’ Assembly process. Using this model, we were able to select a group that was wholly representative of South Yorkshire and therefore engage with and understand the perspectives, hopes and fears across our whole community.
“These 14 recommendations, and the work of the Citizens’ Assembly, represent a different way of thinking about probably the biggest single issue we face; how we tackle climate breakdown and grasp the opportunity it presents, so we can create a South Yorkshire that's fit for the future. I'm proud that we’re making decisions in a way that challenges us to think and act differently.”
South Yorkshire Citizens' Assembly recommendations
1. Retrofit and plan public spaces to prioritise pedestrian usage and accessibility for all.
2. Develop a comprehensive green action plan for businesses of all sizes that would focus reward for green initiatives, support green skills and employees and promoting greener practice (e.g. recycling, plastic waste management etc).
3. Integrated travel infrastructure for e-bikes, scooters, and pedestrians with mini-hubs throughout urban areas for pick up and drop off of these transport systems.
4. Set up community hubs for growing, distributing, and sharing food that is sustainable and accessible for everyone.
5. Reopen the airport for future economic viability and sustainability and make it a leader in green aviation.
6. Bring the South Yorkshire transport network into full public control to improve reliability, affordability, and accessibility.
7. Upgrade local neighbourhoods to include retail, health, education and entertainment facilities, and employment opportunities.
8. To challenge the Mayor to deliver 1.4 million trees and even exceed this target.
9. Training courses and apprenticeships (short and long term) in South Yorkshire should meet the needs of South Yorkshire, providing skilling, re-skilling, and cross-skilling for those getting into work, those already in work and most affected by the emergence of green jobs.
10. Fund a South Yorkshire food education programme (for schools and adult education) to help us understand where our food comes from, nutrition, choice, and impact on environment.
11. Create a solar scheme for all without means testing with commercial solar fields and/or roof creating community energy through power banks.
12. Fund and enforce a gold standard of quality for new building developments.
13. Establish community hubs that provide repair, recycling and loaning facilities.
14. Change school curriculum to be designed with more practical involvement in green living skills.
South Yorkshire Citizens' Assembly - Final Report
Read the full report, that was written by TPXimpact following the Citizens' Assembly, to help SYMCA, local authorities, partner organisations and the wider public understand how the Citizens’ Assembly was delivered, what the Citizens’ Assembly recommended and any lessons for future Citizens’ Assemblies or other deliberative processes.
What is a Citizens' Assembly?
The South Yorkshire Citizens’ Assembly on Climate followed an established democratic process that is used all over the world. Citizens Assemblies bring together a group of people selected by lottery, who broadly represent the entire community. The people who attend learn about issues, discuss them with one another, and then make recommendations about what should happen and how things should change.
The process in South Yorkshire consisted of a learning phase, a deliberation phase, and a decision-making phase, spread across 31 hours and 9 in person sessions. 100 people from across South Yorkshire took part, representative of all local authorities – Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley – making up the final membership. The 100 members focussed on one overarching question:
“The way our climate is changing will impact us all. How should we respond, to build a thriving and sustainable future for South Yorkshire?”.
SYMCA is working through the outcomes which were more ambitious than expected, with plans to publish a considered response in the near future.