Gateshead Council has been working on energy provision over the last few years to ensure energy security and respond to the climate crisis. This includes the development of a District Heat Network. The objectives of the engagement were to:
- Ensure the energy future is shaped by residents and any changes that are made support what people already value about their areas
- Ensure the vision and recommendations produced by residents inform how these Wards, and Gateshead more widely, gets and uses energy
- Inform the wider council energy strategy
What did we do?
As part of Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme, Involve, Forum for the Future, Ipsos and Quantum Strategy & Technology held a Citizen Visioning process in Gateshead. Citizen visioning enables residents and decision makers to develop a bigger picture view that looks into the future, responding to local assets, needs and what makes each place unique. The benefit of this approach is that residents are engaged in decisions that affect them and provide guidance on the approaches to take. The Residents Forum was given a comparatively tight scope for their visioning. They were asked to consider:
What future energy systems do we want in High Fell, Windy Nook and Whitehills? And how can any changes be done in a way that works for residents?
Participants reflected on what they valued about where they live and what they want to keep and change. They learnt about the topic from a range of speakers, covering an introduction to the energy system, climate change and district heat networks. Participants discussed the information they had heard and developed a long list of ideas, weighing up potential ways forward. The council’s climate team was on hand to review them and provide feedback. Participants worked together to agree on:
- A final vision statement
- A set of priority recommendations
What resulted?
The vision statement was written entirely by participants in their own words:
‘By 2030 Gateshead will be a beacon of a shared commitment to create a vibrant and attractive place with a dynamic, thriving town centre and protected green spaces for all to enjoy. Gateshead will be a place where we have a trusted, transparent, proven relationship between the community and its local authority, to allow people to have a sense of ownership.
The strong partnership between council and communities, including local businesses will create a green economy focused on accessible skills and education in sustainable industries.
Our tradition of innovation and entrepreneurism built on centuries of world-firsts and our strong industrial heritage will create a green ecosystem, which is secure, affordable and sustainable for all!
Our pride and self belief built on a tradition of self-reliance and mutual care, will enable us to be the stewards of a locally owned, reliable, affordable and desirable green energy system. Gateshead will be a place where no-one is left behind, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable housing, energy efficient houses with vibrant green spaces for all to enjoy.’
The participants also created a list of 10 recommendations on priority actions, including on local energy generation, accessibility and affordability, education, communication, and the rollout of a district heat network.
What was the impact?
The Council team were inspired by the recommendations, and perhaps a bit surprised by the quality of thinking. Wider actors were also interested in taking forward a similar approach. The resident engagement has increased interest in the energy transition from the local ward teams, and relevant council members.
In response to the group’s recommendations, the Council has agreed to:
- Publish a report on the engagement and the recommendations on the council website.
- Publish a formal response to all recommendations, incorporating responses from other parties who may be responsible.
- If there are any recommendations the council is unable to take forward, the reasoning will be clearly set out and alternatives will be suggested.
The Council has already moved forward with a ‘Green Room’ providing resources and advice for residents on how to make changes to their own homes. This was off the back of a recommendation that the Forum made.
The 20 local residents, who broadly reflected the population of Windy Nook & Whitehills and High Fell, were overwhelmingly positive about their experience of being part of the Forum. Comments at the end of the 4 days together included:
‘The Residents Forum has been a great process to be involved in. The people of our community are at the heart of the recommendations as they're the ones who are impacted by any changes.’
‘While the process format is guided, the contents are entirely the work of community members. I have a fundamental distrust of government, but this appears to be a genuine effort by Gateshead Council to gauge what residents and ordinary people want. This is a really important step in making truly democratic decisions that are by the people and for the people’.
‘The Residents Forum has been amazing. Community led projects are important to allow the council to get a community based vision’
At the end of the Forum participants generally felt more confident in their knowledge of the Local Authority’s plans, the purpose of the engagement, and that their contributions would be used by their Local Authority. They wanted to see that greener energy would be available to all soon, and that their opinion counts in the work being done by the council.
