‘Let light in’ amid call for voters-voice government
CIVIL society groups have called for the Welsh Government to become more accountable, transparent, and participatory.
Open Government Network Wales has called for new commitments regarding access to information, participatory budgeting – which sees people vote on how government money should be spent – and more transparent processes for procurement.
Under Open Government Network rules, the Welsh Government will have to respond to the proposals and publish an action plan, setting out their priorities in this area for the next two years.
The suggested commitments have emerged from an online consultation aimed at bringing people and politics closer together.
The Manifesto for Open Government includes the introduction of participatory budgeting at a national and local government level, where people are able to vote on how certain budgets are spent; more transparent procurement processes by publishing a detailed list of funds awarded; the use of more videos, images and infographics on Welsh Government websites; better use of social media channels to reach a wider section of the public; and ) more frequent and more accessible publication of the data Welsh Government holds.
Jess Blair, director of Electoral Reform Society Cymru and a coordinator of the Open Government Network in Wales, said: “Later this year the Welsh Government will publish a new set of commitments around transparency and accountability. This manifesto sets out how it can open up to let the light in and give voters a stronger voice.
“Other countries around the world have used these action plans to rebuild trust in politics – something that is more crucial than ever.”
Ruth Marks, chief executive of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, leads on the Open Government Pioneers Project in Wales.
She said: “Wales has led the way in more open government, but we now risk going backwards if we don’t renew our commitment to more transparent and accountable government.
“The proposals put forward in the manifesto will help put Wales back at the forefront of international movements for more inclusive government. For this to happen, we need to cover the basics on accessible information and tools that allow people to genuinely shape services and decisions.
“This manifesto suggests practical ways we can progress these, making use of the new digital approaches available today.”