Erica Smits JP BBus(mgt)’s Post

Here's the agenda for FERC's October Commission meeting!

We should measure success through personal and rights based outcomes, not just short term targets. Find out how the Community Links Worker Programme puts people at the centre.     Look out for more in our series exploring the Health and Social Care Academy Five Ambitions in action.   https://lnkd.in/e8f7NBrM

Absolutely, outcomes must sit within an outcomes framework driven by people 💙🙏

🗣️ Connected Nation policy update: Top 7 things to know this week (Oct. 31) ⬇️ Follow the link below to hear the 7 things that our experts think YOU should know this week! This includes updates covering the FCC, NTIA, USF and other state updates. 🔗: https://bit.ly/4f64Shx

Fixing democracy in New Zealand: have I found a silver bullet?! We need to substantially improve the ability of our democracy to make quality policy decisions. There are so many big issues facing us now. If we can't make better decisions on them, our quality of life and democracy itself may be at risk. The democratic ideal is that citizens are informed and elect particularly well-informed politicians who debate policy in the House to identify the best policy. Where they can't agree, the majority prevails (but for human rights). Democracy as practised historically falls far short of this standard. But, arguably, it has worked well-enough. Two big changes have put pressure on democracy’s ability to do its job. First, the issues now are long-term and more global; they require long-term policy stability for the best solution to work. Second, the internet and social media have led to a huge increase in the quantity of information available and huge variation in the quality of that information. It is harder for people to work out what is right. So people form themselves into polarised tribes aligned largely with their general dispositions, rather than due consideration. As a result of these two changes the traditional contest of ideas at the heart of democracy is unable any longer to reach the best decisions, let alone stick to them for the long-term. So, there is a need for two major changes if our quality of life and democracy itself are to be saved. First, it must become easier to identify what constitutes quality information so that debate is better grounded in reality. Second, the style of debate needs to move from adversarial to deliberative so that complex issues can be better worked through. My 'silver bullet' addresses the first of these challenges (I'll tackle the second next week). My proposal is that an independent trust be established in New Zealand with the specific purpose of providing citizens with reliable, concise and accessible information on all substantive policy issues. For each policy issue the trust would identify an expert on each 'side' of an issue. Each expert would provide a short, plain-English analysis of the issue from their perspective. Each could also write a short critique of the other expert’s analysis. I'm thinking 5 and 2 page length for each. My own experience convinces me of the value of such a trust. I have a lot of policy experience. I know how to find high quality information. But on so many issues I've found there is little accessible, concise and reliable information available. Certainly not enough for an open-minded citizen to understand an issue and draw conclusions on it reasonably quickly. So, I’m seeking your feedback. Is an independent trust a good idea? What are the fishhooks? Let me know what you think. There is no more relevant clip for this post than Yes, Minister on the key question of all: what is the role of government? Enjoy!

Can regional power reshape a nation’s future? 🏛️🗳️ Discover Sophie Chee's compelling exploration of how regional parliaments in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are transforming the political landscape of the UK. Uncover the dramatic history behind their creation, the innovative voting systems they use, and the far-reaching impacts on governance and regional identity. 📖 https://lnkd.in/ec7_8uC2

Please see this resource!

We are up and running at the Local Government Chronicle summit - first up - building trust in local government. In the face of chronic fiscal challenges, local government can’t do it all (far from it) but openness and collaboration with all citizens in our diverse communities is critical to building trust around the outcomes we are focussed on delivering.

Here's the agenda for next week's FERC meeting!

Another week, another Cabinet Minister wanting to hear directly from CBI (Confederation of British Industry) members. Great to welcome Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP to our Presidents and Chairs Committee today alongside our fantastic Regional Directors 👇 Lots of thoughtful discussion, including on: 🤝 how government and business can work together, 💼 the impact of Budget measures, including on family businesses, 📈the importance of place based strategies and making sure the UK is a great place for all businesses, alongside the Industrial Strategy