Welcome back to Engage from Delib. We know many of you are thinking ahead to longer, sunnier days, and starting to book your summer holidays. This February, we’re focusing on the experiences that make those getaways memorable.
In this round-up, we’ll explore how our customers are using community engagement to enhance public spaces, celebrate the arts, and boost tourism — creating vibrant experiences for everyone.
Customer insights and inspiration:
Nottinghamshire Targets Tourism Boost, Asks Public to Hit the Bullseye on Robin Hood
Nottinghamshire Council recently called all merry men (and everyone else) to share their thoughts on how the “Robin Hood brand” could attract more visitors to the county. The story was even picked up in a recent BBC article.
It’s not a completely new idea; Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest are already popular draws, according to a 2023 visitor economy consultation. But the council believes there’s untapped potential in the world-famous outlaw.
The Nottinghamshire consultation prompted residents to select which depictions from film and television they most closely associate with Robin Hood. It also asked when they last visited Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle — two local landmarks tied to the folk hero — the latter of which faced closure as recently as 2022 due to financial difficulties.
Meanwhile, local businesses were targeted with separate questions to understand how they currently use the Robin Hood brand and how they could benefit further. And, because everyone loves a little incentive, the survey included a prize draw for a one-night deluxe pod stay at a country park campsite.
The survey closed on February 7th 2025, so while you can no longer participate, keep an eye out for the results and how Nottinghamshire plans to revamp its tourist offerings and branding. With a local visitor economy already valued at over £2 billion, even a small boost could have a significant impact.
Edinburgh Proposes a Visitor Levy to Support Local Services
In recent years, many of the world’s major tourist cities — such as Paris, Barcelona, and Kyoto — have introduced a small tax on visitors to fund local services.
Edinburgh City Council is following the trend, and propose to introduce a 5% visitor levy on overnight accommodation, in the hopes it could raise £50m per year to make the city better for everyone. Its Citizen Space consultation asked local residents, accommodation providers, and visitors what they thought of the plan, attracting over 4,500 responses.
For example, while the scheme was extremely popular with residents and most businesses, it had less approval from tourists themselves. Some people wrote that there should be exemptions to the levy, such as for those staying in caravan sites or pitched tents. Others thought it should be applied universally and implemented sooner.
The consultation also questioned what the money should be spent on — with 55% of the funds currently earmarked for city operations, 35% for festivals and cultural events, and at least £5 million for the city’s social housing. Interestingly, 2% of the visitor levy is proposed to go towards participatory budgeting schemes, in which Edinburgh residents themselves would have the power to choose local projects to fund.
The full results of the survey were published on 17th January, and the council is currently considering how to proceed with the plan, such as which issues require a fair compromise or rethink.
Birmingham Seeks Input on the Role of Art in Urban Life
Birmingham: the birthplace of heavy metal, the home of Peaky Blinders, a city echoing with the sounds of bhangra and the whispers of a rich industrial heritage. From the bohemian street art of Digbeth to the imposing architecture of the centre, art isn’t just confined to galleries; it’s an expression of the city’s identity written by the people themselves.
That’s why public art is so important — it reflects who Birmingham is, what it values, and where it’s going.
Now, Birmingham City Council is taking steps to refresh its Public Art Strategy with a stakeholder survey, inviting responses from those who know Birmingham best. The consultation, which closed in January, prompted residents to consider:
- Current Practices: How is public art currently integrated into Birmingham’s urban landscape? What do people like or dislike?
- Future Opportunities: Where are the new possibilities for public art? How can it be used to enhance specific areas, tell local stories, or address social issues?
- Community Engagement: How can the public be involved in the creation and appreciation of public art? What role can art play in building community identity and belonging?
It’s hoped this feedback will help Birmingham take a more inclusive approach to public art, reflecting the diversity of the city, its neighbourhoods, and stories. The finalised strategy will also need to provide clear reasons for how it lives up to cultural policies in the draft Birmingham Development Plan 2042, which went through a similar public consultation back in September.
Northern Ireland Casts a Wide Net with Tourism Data Collection
The Northern Irish tourism sector is on a strong footing, with visitors in 2023 surpassing pre-covid levels and cross-border tourist visits from the Republic of Ireland up 50% in one year.
The Culture & Heritage Stakeholder Group wants to build on this success, and have launched a consultation to identify data collected by its members — including groups like the Department for Communities, Arts Council, National Museum, and Tourism NI — making it a great example of intra-governmental engagement. Together, these evidence bases will inform Northern Ireland’s wider tourism strategy and allow for more joined-up branding and visitor information.
What’s more, is it’s all part of a bigger, more ambitious plan called the Heritage, Culture and Creativity (HCC) Programme. Launched in 2024, this scheme aims to promote all aspects of Northern Irish culture — from ancient castles to contemporary art — and proposes individual strategies for heritage, arts, museums, and public libraries. A top priority is to make events and venues more accessible, and the results of this exercise will show what’s going well and where improvements could be made.
Industry and legislative news:
UK Government Releases Comprehensive AI Playbook for Public Sector
The UK Government has published its new Artificial Intelligence Playbook, providing comprehensive guidance for civil servants and public sector organisations on implementing AI solutions. At a time when AI adoption is rapidly expanding across government services, this timely resource sets out 10 core principles for responsible AI use in the public sector.
The playbook builds upon January’s Generative AI Framework, expanding its scope to cover a broader range of AI technologies and applications. It offers practical guidance on everything from understanding AI fundamentals to managing security, ethics, and governance. Notably, it includes detailed sections on data protection, privacy considerations, and maintaining public trust – all crucial elements for government organisations exploring AI implementation.
We’re particularly interested in the playbook’s emphasis on using “the right tool for the job” and working collaboratively, as these align closely with our own approach to AI innovation. Speaking of which, we’re currently running several exciting pilots with customers who are using our API to enhance their consultation processes with AI tools – watch this space for updates on these developments.
The playbook provides invaluable insights for anyone in the public sector looking to navigate the complexities of AI implementation, covering everything from initial procurement to ongoing governance and risk management. You can access the full playbook here.
Citizen Space is the go-to platform for connecting governments, developers, and citizens. If you’d like to learn more about how our software streamlines public engagement and provides planners with enriched geospatial data, book a free demo and we’ll walk you through it.
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