Answers to the questionnaire put together by members of the local Agenda 21 forum have finally been received from some of the political groups. The aim of the questions was to clarify policies on a number of aspects related to social, economic and environmental sustainability. The responses reveal a lot about the perception which each party has on citizen participation.
True, the questionnaire was too long, with 20 questions on topics ranging from governance, the Strategic Plan to environmental management, energy saving and port expansion. But they had been given more than a month to answer. Moreover, even though the deadline expired on April 27th, two parties (names not disclosed by the Agenda21 organising consultant) asked the deadline to be extended until May 5th so that others could not copy their ideas in their manifestos. This was agreed to. Nevertheless, the PP sent its answers almost 12 hours late on May 6th. After deliberation by Agenda21 members, these were also admitted.
In total, five parties answered the questionnaire. The other four being Bloc-Centristas, Nueva Jávea, PSPV-PSOE and Xàbia Democrática.
This article tries to highlight relevant responses to the issues related to citizen participation. The reader should look at the full documentation to find answers to questions of personal interest. Note: The 20 questions can be found on: http://agenda21-xabia.wikidot.com/questionnaire-for-political-parties-2011
Confused Concepts
The reader should check out which answers actually match the questions (you can see this better by reading the text of the questionnaire). This gives a clear idea of who really understands what citizen participation is. Also, if a reader thinks he does not understand an answer, that's not his fault, but the fault of the politicians who failed to transmit their ideas effectively. This happens especially when they are not clear about their own manifestos.
In this regard, it is interesting to note that some groups have not understood what "interpersonal networks" means. This is a concept which refers to the promotion and creation of groups of people helping each other in person. Instead, many confuse this with the concept of "social networking" (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and Internet. It is also important to clarify that a "Strategic Plan" is a model of a town that the citizens decide for the next x number of years and the actions needed to achieve it. As for "ventanilla única" (literally "Single window"), this is a computer system to access all government procedures and not an office for citizen services. (In English you might say "One Stop Window")
Here is a summary of the answers relating to citizen participation in the order they appear in the questionnaire:
They accept A21, but bear in mind that a party needs to hold to its programme
For the Bloc-Centristas, good governance is defined by the Charter of Good Practice approved by the Regional Government in 2008, while Agenda 21 is an organ where citizens participate in decision making. However, a party must hold to its programme, and thus legitimise the electoral process.
The B-C thinks it is necessary to involve more people in the process of Agenda21, so it must publicise its activities more. In addition, "attention will be given to proposals emanating from different citizens councils" in the General Plan. As for a Strategic Plan, B-C is in favour and thinks it should be the fruit of a "peaceful and honest debate."
The team led by the current mayor Eduardo Monfort stands for supporting interpersonal networks between citizens, and gives examples of successful programs such as "Hablemos +" and "Volunteering pel Valencià", and the restoration of the wind-mills undertaken by the Xàbia Viva association. It also proposes to include within A21 the promotion of discussion groups on current affairs, literature, film and other topics.
Regarding accountability, B-C refers to the law and ensures compliance through issues being debated with the parties in committee and approved at Council plenary meetings. As regards modernization of the administration and improving its efficiency, the solution will come with reunification of the various administrative departments in the new building at Portal del Clot, as then it can implement a "new system of coordination between departments."
Everything must be discussed together, but the Strategic Plan should be developed by experts
To Nueva Jávea it is essential to find "a freer and more open participation". There are people from all backgrounds in this group, both Spanish and foreign, and everything is discussed between all. This approach, and the principles of respect for different cultures, including that of course, of Xàbia, "will be applied to the Town Hall, the various bodies and forums for participation". More publicity is necessary to increase participation. There must be publicity to push to achieve greater involvement, and Agenda21 is a means to achieve this.
As for the Strategic Plan, leader Juan Planelles considers it essential, but that beforehand "a multidisciplinary and specialized team" must do a rigorous SWOT type study (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) which is scientific and independent of ideologies and parties.
When asked about the building of interpersonal networks between citizens, the response of NJ is that it is fundamental, and they will prioritise any productive investment possible in this aspect, "including the introduction of e-Government".
The Town Hall should engage more openly with the people, the days of hierarchy are over
According to the PSPV-PSOE, "the local government is to serve the interests of citizens", and "this requires an open and direct relationship with the people, taking their views into account when making decisions. For greater transparency they propose a series of measures including making public where money is spent and also allowing public access to important documents such as all records relating to the General Plan. They also propose e-Government in several languages, to streamline administration and be closer to citizens, even if they do not live in Jávea. Part of this will be a "One Stop Window" and an on-line monitoring system of all procedures, ensuring a rapid response to citizens as well as improvements in internal communication so that people do not have to provide the same document more than once.
According to the socialists there should be a system of collaboration with the people and not a hierarchical superiority by the administration. People should be allowed to submit projects and proposals from their associations.
The team led by José Chulvi states that "A21 is an essential element of citizen participation to design the Xàbia of the future, not to control the Xàbia of today". But it should not be unique. Participation must be broadened to groups who cannot attend in person (such as students, people living outside, etc) through the Internet. The A21 also has to strive to create more synergy with associations, supporting their work, as a measure to ensure greater citizen participation. Another step would be reactivating the "Commission 21"*, giving it a more executive role.
Creating a Strategic Plan is fundamental to the PSPV-PSOE because it is the instrument that will define what we want Xàbia to be in the medium term (10-15 years) and to chart the path to reach that goal, especially by defining actions and indicators that allow us to see if we are on track".
With regard to interpersonal networks, the Socialists intend to create a "Time Bank", which allows people to create a support community by exchanging services (See: http://www.timebanks.org/how-it-works.htm) and "meeting rooms" between people where different groups with similar projects can meet to create synergies.
We must modernize the administration, with help from the Internet, and create a permanent and binding Advisory Council
According to Xàbia Democrática, good governance begins with designing "a Strategic Plan to streamline management and make a new model of municipal governance, including a management plan for the coming years, based on participatory budgeting, designed by consensus, and integrating different cultures and nationalities living in the municipality".
XD proposes "single windows" in the Port and Arenal and centralising the "administrative machinery" in one building, "Open Government" through Network Management, promoting closeness "to the administration and its officials by listening to the people", and easing red tape.
Regarding A21, party leader, Oscar Anton hopes to inject new momentum, giving it its own budget and full independence of the local government team. It will have representation on the proposed "Standing Advisory Council". This body (the SAC) will be binding in nature, and all citizens will be represented on it.
As regards the Strategic Plan, XD also supports its development "with the participation of all Xàbia's stakeholders, groups of citizens and social groups", that "will support the concepts of quality of life, economic sustainability and social progress, respecting the environment." In addition, the Strategic Plan should follow "a model of a low-density town, optimizing the rational occupation of land."
As for interpersonal networks, for XD this means social networking, to which is linked free basic Internet access. The modernisation and streamlining of the administration focuses on "real and effective administrative management", "specific software for administration to allow tracking of procedures" will be implemented, and "the necessary arrangements will be made so that procedures are carried out within the statutory time limits".
Administration should be reformed to make it more agile, and citizens may participate via internet
For the PP it is necessary to "reform the administration to make it more agile, more accessible, more effective and accountable to all citizens", "offering citizens the opportunity to participate in decision-making and budget management (5% of it)", thanks to "e-Government as a new means for citizens to relate with the Town Hall".
Also, for the PP governance includes the development of a Committee of Citizen Participation of Residents and measures such as the "Tell Me" programme, which encourages meetings between the people and the mayor.
The A21 is "undoubtedly an important tool for the design of strategies". Mayoral candidate, Juan José Castelló, states that "we went into these elections with an open and participatory calling, seeking agreement with the public and providing effective responses through restraint, dialogue and consensus with all stakeholders involved in the development of our town."
As for the Strategic Plan, The PP claims to be in favour of "any action to improve Xàbia" and that its program includes the development of a "Jávea Tourism Strategic Plan, with special emphasis on aspects related to innovation, environment and energy". Incidentally they also propose a "Business Action Plan" to inject dynamism into the economy and a "Commercial Action Plan".
For the PP, interpersonal networks are important and that is why they are backing new technologies. A "One Stop Shop", and Web 2.0 to promote Jávea, and a Digital Literacy Plan. While on the subject of accounting clarity, the PP refers to its "Transparent Management Program", through which it will publish "local activity reports, opening the doors to the public to improve efficiency in decision-making."
Regarding the modernization and efficiency of administration, The PP proposes a "Xàbia citizen card" which serves as identification document for any municipal process, including public transport, sports facilities, etc. They also proposed creating a "Citizen Advice Bureau", which will offer an information service and processing, avoiding unnecessary trips for the citizens "and administration reform to make it more agile, more accessible and more efficient, promoting the responsible use of Valencian, multilingualism (English and German) and the incorporation of IT".
translated by Chris Betterton-Jones
Ed's note:
* Comision21 - "... The Commission 21 will be made up of representatives of each (Agenda21) ´table´, municipal technicians and politicians from each of the municipal groups. The technicians will evaluate the viability of the proposals (from the Agenda21 forum) and the politicians should demonstrate their commitment to the A21. This should result in a transparency of management."
Jan 2006 From: http://agenda21-xabia.wikidot.com/javea-relaunches-agenda-21-in-the-hands-of-a-new-consultancy
A21 questionnaire:
