Citizen Governance

Citizen Governance is the involvement of citizens in decision making and scrutiny roles in public services. One of VOX's roles is to increase the  number of citizens involved in governance roles by providing support for those who want to get involved and also by helping to promote vacancies available within the District.

VOX has produced a variety of material, organised events and actively recruited into roles throughout the District, including our own Board of Directors. Our work has included:

VOX Guide to Governance Booklet
We produced a booklet designed to bring together information on all the different roles available in the District, along with information on what each role requires, what experience it would be useful to have and how to get involved. We have had some very   positive feedback and will continue to update this   information in booklet form and on our website.

Neighbourhood Management
VOX has had a key role in the development of the Neighbourhood Management Pilots. We developed a Governance structure for each of the pilot areas, recruited board members and worked with partners to support the development of induction arrangements for the newly formed Neighbourhood Management Pilot Boards. We now continue to support these community board members.

BME Governance Event
VOX worked with partners from Wakefield Council and Voluntary Action Wakefield District to organise 'Community Governance for You' in March 2008. The event was aimed at getting more members of the BME communities involved in local Governance roles. The event included speeches from Councillor Olivia Rowley and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain who gave a speech on a positive way forward for an inclusive Muslim community in Great Britain. There were some very positive outcomes which included the bringing together of representatives from different Mosques across the District for the first time. You can find out more about this event by taking a look at the film on our website at www.voxnet.org.uk/showcase/?idno=183.