Our Projects > Policy Participation

Policy Participation is about enabling London Civic Forum members to influence the policies that affect them.

Over the past few years, members have prioritised the following issues as being of particular interest and importance to them: 

• making London a safer place for all
• making London accessible for all
• providing affordable and accessible housing
• making London a healthy city
• open and civic spaces for all

Opportunities to influence policies in these areas arise through statutory consultations on Mayoral strategies and plans, scrutinies by the London Assembly, and corporate planning by functional bodies for transport,  policing, economic development and fire and emergency services.  Policy Participation also works to inform members of opportunities to inform Government consultations on matters such as equalities, human rights, governance, citizenship and plans for the introduction of Identity cards.

To enable participation we:

• produce regular e-bulletins to keep members up to date with developments in policy making and provide information on consultations and opportunities for involvement
• produce briefing papers on topics of interest
• organise consultation and engagement events
• submit consultation responses on behalf of members
• produce paper versions of the bulletin for groups that are not online
• make travel costs available to people with mobility difficulties to attend our events

We also support sections of the membership in developing their capacity to influence policy. For example, our work with members on the London Plan consultation led to the development of the Just Space Network. Additionally, we play an active role in the Third Sector Alliance.

Other current work includes follow up on ‘Keeping London Moving’, an engagement event held in January 2009 with Transport for London. Prior to this event, London Civic Forum invited members to express their views on transport issues in the Capital by taking part in an online survey. Following this event, the London Assembly has launched a scrutiny of Dial-A-Ride services, one of the issues raised by participants.

For more information about London Civic Forum's approach to policy development, please click here.  

This programme was funded by The City Bridge Trust, and has now come to an end. Much of the work previously carried out through Policy Participation will now fall within the remit of our 'Your Voice, Your City' prgoramme. To find out further information about any of the activities carried out in the last few years under the Policy Participation programme, please contact Deirdre at London Civic Forum.