Rewiring Local Government for citizen engagement

The INLOGOV (Institute of Local Government & University of Birmingham) report, Rewiring Local Government for Citizen Engagement, lays out a bold but necessary vision: if councils want to restore trust, strengthen democracy, and deliver better outcomes, citizen engagement can’t be an afterthought - it must be embedded in the fabric of governance.

At Commonplace and Zencity, we couldn’t agree more. In fact, much of what this paper recommends aligns with what we see working on the ground every day. Here's our response to this report:

From consultation to co-creation

Too often, engagement has meant one-off consultations that feel tokenistic. The report argues for moving beyond this, towards convening democratic spaces, building community capacity, and co-producing services.

We’ve seen first-hand how sustained, inclusive dialogue changes the dynamic between communities and councils. When residents are part of shaping decisions - not just commenting on them - trust grows, and solutions get smarter.

Digital tools as enables, not replacements

The paper highlights the potential of digital engagement to reach groups who might otherwise be left out - people with caring responsibilities, those with mobility issues, or younger adults less likely to attend in-person events.

This is exactly where platforms like ours shine. From AI-powered sentiment analysis to hyperlocal digital surveys, digital tools can widen participation and make engagement more representative. But the report rightly warns: digital shouldn’t deepen divides. We share the commitment to bridging the digital gap, ensuring all voices - online or offline - count.

This report is a wake-up call for local government. Engagement can’t be treated as a tick-box exercise – it has to be the foundation of how councils govern and deliver. At Commonplace and Zencity, we see every day that when communities are given real opportunities to co-create solutions, trust grows and outcomes improve - Benjy Meyer (Commonplace Managing Director)

Grounding innovation in local reality

The authors caution against importing “off-the-shelf” engagement models without adapting them to local context. We agree. Our consultative work with councils across the UK (and globally) shows that while best practices are transferable, success depends on tailoring approaches to each community’s priorities, culture, and existing civic fabric.

The role of Councillors as community facilitators

The report’s vision of councillors as facilitators - mediating between institutional systems and community knowledge - resonates deeply. We’ve seen the difference when elected members use real-time community insight to inform their decisions. Not only do policies land better, but the very process of 'listening' improves democratic confidence.

Engaging young people early

With voting rights extending to 16- and 17-year-olds, the report urges councils to integrate young voices into decision-making now. Our platforms already help capture youth perspectives in accessible, age-appropriate ways, and we share the belief that early engagement builds a stronger democratic culture for the future.

Thanks for reading...

Why this matters now

Local government is facing fiscal constraints, polarisation, and structural reform.

The report makes it clear: this is not the time to scale back engagement - it’s the time to double down.

Embedding citizen engagement means:

• Creating spaces for genuine dialogue
• Investing in community capacity
• Co-producing services so they meet real needs
• Using digital tools to complement - not replace - human connection

These are exactly the pillars we build into our work with councils, because they don’t just strengthen democracy - they deliver better outcomes for everyone.

Our takeaway

We welcome INLOGOV’s call for leadership, reform, and investment in citizen engagement. The future of local democracy depends on it - and we’re ready to help make it happen!

Get in touch to take a look at the world's most cutting edge solutions for community listening and engagement. charlottebowen@commonplace.is