Community Indicators for Culture and the Arts Prof Mike Salvaris Cultural Development Network Forum 8 May 2006.

Community Indicators for Culture and the Arts

Prof Mike SalvarisCultural Development Network Forum8 May 2006

The Victorian Community Indicators project …

a 2 year project funded by VicHealth working with local governments across

Victoria to develop better measures and plans for

well-being in their local communities and better ways to engage their local citizens

in the process

Summary of presentation

Project partners and management Key goals, tasks and outcomes Background: what led to this project? Community indicators: what they are? Developing a ‘whole community’ wellbeing

framework, and how to use it Engaging citizens: why and how Results so far Project milestones Visit our website: www.communityindicators.net.au

Project Partners

VicHealth (funder) Victorian Local Governance Association Municipal Association of Victoria Victoria University Swinburne University Lilydale Australian Bureau of Statistics Partner Councils (10)

Partner Councils

Bendigo Hobson’s Bay Knox Maroondah Moreland Port Philip Surf Coast Wellington Wodonga Yarra Ranges

Project Reference Committee

Partners Premier’s Department Department of Victorian Communities Department of Human Services Department of Infrastructure Department of Sustainability & Environment Victorian Council of Social Service

Key goals of VCI Project Better ways to measure, understand and set goals for local

progress and wellbeing Better local statistics & statistical capacity, & better

documenting of need ‘Whole of community’ planning reflecting community vision Stronger citizen engagement and local democracy Strengthened communities ‘Best practice’ model for Loc. Gov. (Democratic Reform)

Act Better Statewide planning, local Community Plans as

building blocks Build changes permanently & sustainably into government

Key project tasks and outcomes Statewide local wellbeing measurement framework Best practice local statistics Guidelines and new models for community

engagement and local democracy Model local Community Survey (replacing

Community Satisfaction Survey) 10 Best Practice models for Community Planning Agreed links between state and local planning Ongoing training and materials Outstanding website

Background and context

Search for wellbeing measures beyond GDP Worldwide community indicators movement Need to strengthen democracy and community

engagement VicHealth local work on health & wellbeing Changing role of Local Gov’t in Victoria Community strengthening policy growing Strategic state development policies Joined up government and planning Victorian models: need to spread learning

Key ideas #1

Making the future, not ‘letting it happen’

The future does not just happen to us; we ourselves create it by what we do and what we fail to do. It is we who are making tomorrow what tomorrow will be.

For that reason, futurists think not so much in terms of predicting the future as in terms of trying to decide wisely what we want the future to be.”

Edward Cornish, US futurist

Key ideas #2

Economic, social and environmental well-being are interdependent

We have failed to see how our economy, our environment and our society are all one and that delivering the best quality of life for us all means more than concentrating on economic growth … Achieving a better quality of life, now and for future generations to come means meeting four simultaneous objectives:

Effective protection of the environment Prudent use of natural resources Social progress that meets the needs of everyone Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth

and employment Tony Blair, ‘A Better Quality of Life’

Key ideas #3 Measuring what matters

Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. Albert Einstein

Key ideas #4:

Engaging the community in measuring progress is democratic The idea of people taking charge of their own measurements of progress is a powerful and far reaching innovation that can bring about a new sense of civic engagement. [Sustainable Seattle]

Indicator Case Studies: overseas United Nations – Indicator Framework OECD – PSR model and reporting framework UK – A Better Quality of Life: A Strategy for

Sustainable development in the UK Jacksonville Indicators Sustainable Seattle Canterbury Quality of Life Indicators Program, NZ Christchurch City Council, NZ and ….

Indicator case studies: local

Measuring Australia’s Progress (ABS) Tasmania Together Genuine Progress Indicator (Aust

Institute) Newcastle (NSW) Cities of Onkaparinga, Marion (SA) Victoria – Outer Eastern Melbourne, Surf

Coast, Wodonga, Port Philip, Moreland, Wyndham etc

Community expectations of local government Av. % who say this function important for local government

Manage waste and pollution 96.3 Involve citizens in decision-making 87.0

Promote community safety 92.3 Enforce local laws (traffic, health, etc) 84.7

Make local government open & accountable 92.0 Conserve heritage and special character 80.7

Provide local recreation facilities 91.7 Promote local pride and involvement 80.0

Maintain local roads, streets, public spaces 91.3 Provide arts and cultural activities 78.7

Protect and enhance natural environment 90.6 Measure wellbeing of whole community 76.7

Provide local community services 89.6 Develop local industry, employm’t, tourism 76.0

Manage council finances, services effectively 89.0 Promote local interests outside municipality 75.0

Plan community future (soc’l, eco, environm’t) 88.7

(Source: Swinburne Institute for Social Research, 2002. ‘Community Participation and Community Planning in Moreland: a research study’. Hawthorn, Victoria: SISR. Based on sample of approx. 3000 over 3 Victorian municipalities).

Related Victorian initiatives New Local Government Act Four Year Council Plans and Resource Plans Rationalisation of the number of plans Role of Local Government in Community

Strengthening Growing Victoria Together, Fairer Victoria Changing the Way Government Works State Co-ordinating and Management

Committee

Indicators

statistics that measure some important issue or policy goal

monitored over time to determine a trend towards or away from a goal

inform the community contribute to public debate

Community Well-being Indicators measure overall wellbeing of

community in all areas of importance to the

community not a measure of council performance, but important to councils to understand

and change where they can not an end in themselves, but a means to inform and focus whole

community action and planning

Developing a Local Wellbeing Framework

Project will develop a common framework from existing local frameworks (including Leading the Way) and surveys etc

This will provide standard, good quality data for councils and communities

Starting point is agreement on most important fields (pillars) and key outcomes

Indicators then developed from these (not vice versa)

‘Healthy community’ model

A healthy community is a product of five factors:

1. The health and well-being of, and the opportunities for, individuals and families

2. The health of social relations, neighbourliness, networks, participation and trust, a sense of shared community in the neighbourhood

3. The quality of the environment and physical living conditions and ‘sense of place’ in the neighbourhood

4. The services and facilities available

5. The quality of governance and community participation in decision-making

Key ‘pillars’ of wellbeing frameworkInclude indicators of wellbeing in 6 key fields

(pillars):

Economic Social Cultural Built environment Natural environment Governance and community engagement

Examples of outcome areas Economic

Local economic output Income levels Local employment

Social Health Sense of community Perceptions of safety

Cultural Ethnic diversity Whole of life learning Cultural participation

Built environment Roads, footpaths Transport Community facilities

Natural environment Waste production Air and water quality Amount of open space

Governance Voting levels % Women councillors Citizen participation

Our culture and leisure activities shape our community identity. Culture determines many aspects of social life [including] forming community networks and bonds crucial to social cohesion. Heritage protection preserves social knowledge … The culture and leisure sector also contributes to economic development through facilitating creativity, innovation and self-reflection. Art, film and literature reflects and examines social trends, protects our heritage and preserves social knowledge. Culture and leisure is important to both social life and economic wellbeing and assists in creating work life balance in our communities. Our communities are enriched by people from diverse cultural backgrounds thus a community that celebrates cultural diversity and encourages all people to participate in a rich community life will be a stronger community. (quote from ABS Measuring Wellbeing 2001). Suggested Indicators Potential Data Sources

Maintenance or protection of heritage buildings

Victorian Heritage listing on-line http: / /www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/hvolr.nsf DSE Victorian Heritage Information Map.

Percentage who rate variety of arts and cultural events as adequate or better

CSS collects council performance ratings data in the area of Recreational Facilities but does not collect data specific to satisfaction with variety of activities available, Annual by LGA.

Average occupancy of community cultural centres per month by recurrent hirers

Local Council Records?

Number of performing and visual arts venues ABS: Performing Arts, Australia (8697.0) once off survey, national data only. Local Council Records?

Percentage of population who feel they have opportunities to participate in affordable local community events/activities of their choosing Attendance at local festivals and events

DVC Community Strength Indicators, by LGA

Community satisfaction with the range of community events and festivals

CSS collects council performance ratings data in the area of Recreational Facilities but does not collect data specific to satisfaction with variety of events available, Annual by LGA.

Local places of significance Victorian Heritage listing on-line http: / /www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/hvolr.nsf

Selecting the best indicators

Reflect important community issue or goal

Link to strategic Community Plan Reliable data source, available as time

series Meaningful and sensitive to change Summary in nature Assist targets, provide benchmarks Show trends over time

Multiple uses of wellbeing framework

Purposes Applications

Reporting conditions In selected issues, localities or policy fields Current wellbeing of whole state or municipality (social, economic,

environmental, democratic)

Measuring progress and performance

Selected government programs or policies Selected issues and localities Across all government agencies (or local governments) Current wellbeing of whole state or municipality (social, economic,

environmental, democratic)

Planning - informing priorities - planning & goal setting

Government agencies, LG departments For whole of state (or local) government As basis for local community plans As basis for long-term state or local plan for whole community

Enhancing democracy and accountability

More transparent & systematic gov’t reporting and performance evaluation More honest and accountable government Giving citizens full and accurate information about conditions in their state Involving citizens in decision-making about goals and indicators

Building communities, participation and social cohesion

A framework for local community building and community planning Citizens together identify local community issues & priorities Citizens define a common vision for Victoria (or their LGA) as a whole

Source: Swinburne Institute for Social Research. 2000. Measuring Victoria’s Progress. Hawthorn, Victoria: SISR (adapted)

Wellbeing measures and democracy What makes a healthy democracy? Trust The value of local democracy How citizens can participate Issues for local government

What makes a healthy democracy?

Fair and representative elections Competent and honest governments Fair and equal laws Active and knowledgeable citizens Shared belief in the public interest Reasonable equality in wealth and power Openness and transparency Devolution of power, ‘subsidiarity’ Trust between citizens and governments Innovation, evaluation and change

Trust in democracy

How much do young Australians trust government?

Survey of young Australians (Year 11) 1998

Agree Neither Disagree

Most people in government are honest 6 26 68

People in government care a lot about what people like us think 9 25 66

People in government can be trusted to do the right thing for the country

15

22

64

People in government waste a lot of taxpayers money 70 22 8

People running the government are smart and usually know what they’re doing

29

24

48

Source: Mellor, S. 1998. What’s the Point? Political attitudes of Victorian Year 11 Students. Melbourne: Australian Council of Educational Research

The democratic value of local participation

The democratic ideal in local government implies that active participation of the citizens in local affairs is both a goal in itself and an instrument for strengthening democracy in society at large.

(Kjellberg, F. 1995. “The Changing Values of Local Government” in Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol 540, 40)

Citizens as partners in achieving public outcomes

Role How?

Customers Main users and clients of public services: should be treated as val-ued customers by providers

Owners and shareholders

Through their taxes, citizens invest in public services and assets

Through their votes, they elect the ‘boards of directors’ who govern.

Issue framers and planners

Vision builders: citizens help develop strategic plans

Advisers on government boards and policy committees etc.

Co-producers of services

Community bodies directly provide community services on paid and voluntary basis, in cooperation with government

Service quality evaluators

As primary users of government services, citizens are best placed to assess their quality and effectiveness

Independent out-come trackers

Grassroots measurement by citizen groups is more likely to be inde-pendent and oriented towards actual community wellbeing outcomes

Source: Epstein, Wray et al. 2000

The spectrum of public engagement

Increasing level of public impact >>>>>

Inform Consult Involve Collaborate Empower

Objective and Promise

Objective and Promise

Objective and Promise

Objective and Promise

Objective and Promise

To provide the public with balanced and objective information

To obtain public feedback on analysis, alternatives, or decisions

To work directly with the public throughout the process

To partner with the public in each aspect of the decision

To place final decision making in the hands of the public

Source: International Association for Public Participation: www.iap2.org (adapted)

Community Engagement: key issuesfor local government

Understanding the community better Auditing & feedback from current CE

processes Improving Council skills and capacity in CE Setting clear goals & success measures for

CE Making CE meaningful … and fun Special processes for ‘excluded citizens’ Best use of existing networks and resources CE must be properly resourced

Ideas to improve participation in local government % respondents who thought proposal ‘a good idea’

Internet and websites for local community centres 77

Regular citizen surveys, phone interviews, focus groups 76

More interesting reports on council activities 76

Local committees for areas, supported by council 74

Council meetings in different towns etc 69

Local government training people in community leadership 69

Improved community newspapers, radio station for SC 68

Citizens organise informal discussion groups on local issues 66

Local citizens involved in monitoring progress 63

Better funding and facilities to enable community participation 60

More awards to recognise contributions of local citizens, groups 49

Source: Salvaris, M and Wolcott, I (2002) ‘Community planning and participation in Geelong’, Hawthorn, Victoria: Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology

How LG’s use indicators now Scan of 77 Council plans and community well-

being indicators from 6 Councils 43 Council Plans use sustainability or TBL 19 plans refer to a Community Vision Community Satisfaction Survey used for

indicators by 51 councils Indicators sometimes difficult to identify Some linked to Community Plans – some not Not always available on Council websites 181 separate indicators used by one or more

of the six Councils

Some key practical issues How to ensure that all councils have the

right information – and the systems for analysing and using it effectively.

How to enable data sharing between and across the state government and local government sectors.

How to make information about local strategies, targets and performance more accessible and meaningful to local people.

How community views can be reflected in the indicators.

Key practical issues (cont’d)

The extent to which state government may wish to prescribe indicators and measures.

How to handle proposals for new measures and indicators and avoid duplication.

How to help improve the accessibility of existing information.

How to build on existing information systems and extend them.

How to ensure robust means of assuring data quality.

Progress and milestones Jan - July 2005

Stock take of existing Victorian local government and community indicators

Overview of current Local, State, Commonwealth Initiatives Set up website Statewide forums Partner Council program and workshop

September 2005 Draft framework Data set gaps identified

December 2005 Agreed framework

June 2006 Agreed plan for ongoing development and use of community

well-being indicators

Project website:

www.communityindicators.net.au

Regular progress reports ‘Best practice’ models Partner Council information Links to other good sites