Spinning the wheel of empowerment

The “Wheel of Participation” developed by South Lanarkshire Council, provides a theoretical underpinning for an open and democratic planning system that encourages the right participation techniques to achieve the identified objective – be that information, consultation, participation and/or empowerment. The use fo the wheel would help to minimise the problems of the past, where expectations from participation have not materialized due to the use of inappropriate techniques and unclear objectives. The whole promotes a positive and responsive approach, in which dialogue and partnership can really develop.