The document discusses the history and benefits of ePetitioning systems in various governments including the Scottish Parliament, Bundestag, and UK Parliament. It provides statistics on ePetitioning usage in Bristol, UK such as over 40,000 total signatures and details the largest petitions. The document also introduces the concept of Europetitions for the European Parliament and lists the most common topics of Europetitions from 2007.

1. ePetitioning Fraser Henderson www.particitech.com 27 th March 2009

2. History Scottish Parliament: 1999 – Napier University (ITC), Edinburgh Bristol & Kingston : 2004 – Local eDem National Project (via ITC & NLC) Bundestag : 2005 (ITC) No.10 downing street : 2006 - MySociety Bristol revamp & National Assembly for Wales : 2008 Europetition (EC funded) : 2009 - MAC & Public-i 2010 : New system for UK Parliament

3. Why? For Against Transparency and feedback Seldom heard / hard to reach / outreach Responsiveness Speed of raising and collecting Compelling Improves validation Repetitions Astroturfing “ Graffiti” – time consuming Offensive slip-through Raises expectation

4. Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill (08/9) Petition scheme and ePetitioning Mandatory Debate or Hold officer to account Can be signed by people who work, live or study in an area Relate to a function of the authority OR (upper tier only...) relates to an improvement in the economic, social or environmental well-being of the authority’s area to which any of its partner authorities could contribute

6. Effective ePetitions ePetition design matrix S3.3 Council Citizen Committee Statutory Requirements Getting feedback Format Vetting, Rules and Regulation Progress Validity and representation Set expectations Avoiding Duplicates Actions Supporting the petitioner Integrating with offline Responsibility Back-end process Marketing Validating Connecting with supporters Signing

7. How

8. ePetitioning in Bristol 101 e-petitions since 2004 Over 40,000 signatures (Population c.400,000)

9. ePetitioning in Bristol

10. ePetitioning in Bristol Biggest responses • Against call for Banksy removal (3,187): Councillor • Recycling plastics petition (4,867): Councillor • In house Home Care Services (7,923): Citizen • Save cycle path from becoming bus route (10,000+): Citizen Profile of Bristol ePetitioners (2007):- 13% under 25, 64% aged 25-50, 19% over 50 86% White, 3% BME 4% stated they had a disability 45% male, 51% female 43% home user, 49% work 58% first time e-petitioners

11. Europetition : European Parliament European Citizens Initiative (>1m signatures) Bristol 400,000 Kingston-upon-Thames 150,000 Birmingham City 1,000,000 North Lincolnshire 150,000 Norfolk 824.000

12. your rights as a European citizen as set out in the Treaties, - environmental matters, - consumer protection, - free movement of persons, goods and services, internal market, - employment issues and social policy, - recognition of professional qualifications, - other problems related to the implementation of EU law.

13. 2007 = 1,506 Europetitions Environmental issues, water, etc 288 Fundamental rights 226 Urbanisation 131 Education & cultural issues 103 Social Affairs & Discrimination 207 Internal Market & Consumers 192 Health 105 Justice 99 Transport issues & Infrastructure 88 Property & Restitution 72

14. How to get involved? 21 st & 22 nd May 2009 : London

15. www.ukep.org www.europetition.eu www.particitech.com www.consultationinstitute.org 19/05 : Manchester 11/06 : Birmingham