Participatory Budgeting

Like the Community Empowerment Act 2015, this opportunity to reach out and list to and take heed of the views of local people is one that is being lost in enforced austerity.

Many of the processes are legislated for but are not being implemented - perhaps because politicians and civil servants are too scared.

We hope that through he process of Open Government there is a possibility of walking the talk on the new deliberative democratic processes available right now to empower citizens. Support is needed to make this work.

This means a reversal of the Thatcherite mantra of "Small State" and a re-evaluation of what would be appropriate taxation levels for those who are earning a lot and those who have accumulated substantial personal and corporate wealth.

Anomie, Depression, loneliness, hopelessness face so many excluded from the significant wealth that Scotland enjoys. Need to do something about it!