Welcome back to Engage from Delib, and a Happy New Year to all of our readers. Unlike our colleagues and customers in Australia and New Zealand who are basking in the sun right now here in the UK the frosty air has settled in and the days are still short. We know that many of us are feeling the chill and gearing up for the year ahead.
New beginnings might feel daunting, but this January doesn’t have to be blue if we tackle the big issues together. In this month’s round-up, we’ll be taking a look at how our customers are actively involving the public on the topics of green infrastructure and essential services.
Customer insights and inspiration:
Scotland Consults the Public on Electric Vehicle Charging Network Plan
Scotland’s electric vehicle revolution is full steam ahead, with predictions suggesting a potential 16% higher EV uptake than previously thought. Clearly, the Scottish people need a public EV charging network that’s both accessible and fit for the future.
The Scottish Government is inviting citizens to help shape that future with their new draft Implementation Plan. They want to build a network that works for everyone, from remote island communities to city centres, and powered by clean, green energy. Because what’s the point in going green if the infrastructure isn’t sustainable?
Feedback on their 15 key actions is being collected now, with consultation closing on 14th March.
Northern Ireland Launches Draft Budget Consultation
Northern Ireland’s Executive is facing tough financial decisions in their draft budget for 2025-2026.
Currently, they propose an increase to the domestic regional rate by 5%, and to prioritise funding for agriculture, cyber security, and public sector pay. But this is just their best guess — the final version will be crafted with the local experiences and expertise of NI citizens.
Their 12-week consultation is a form of participatory budgeting, which asks citizens if they agree with the funding priorities and to help shape where money actually goes. So, how would you allocate the budget? Which vital services would be at the top of your list? Have your say by the 13th March.
UK Government Considers Raising Heating Product Standards
The Department for Net Zero wants to phase out inefficient heating systems in our homes — and it’s part of wider government plans to cut energy demand by 15% by 2030.
To achieve this, they propose higher minimum standards for gas and electric space heaters, and to roll out standards in hybrid heat pumps for the first time. This would effectively recalibrate the current energy label scale, where most products cluster between A and A+++, so they fall more broadly between A and G.
Under this system, consumers should find it easier to understand what they’re buying, and companies will hopefully remove lower-performing products as a result. A consultation page encourages the public, manufacturers, installers, and the wider industry to share their thoughts. If you have any thoughts or concerns, please respond by the 25th March.
Public Invited to Shape Drought Guidelines for Water Companies
The Environment Agency is seeking public feedback on the regulations that water companies must follow to mitigate the worst effects of drought. This might not be your top concern with all the rain right now, but considering 2022 saw the worst drought in Europe in 500 years, it’s certainly important to have robust plans in place.
The updated guidelines, which are reviewed every five years, determine how companies balance our water needs with the protection of precious places like chalk streams — unique rivers that depend on a steady flow. The agency has taken great care to include recent research in this batch of guidelines, but they’re also keen to gather an evidence base from the public. Get in touch via their Citizen Space consultation page by the 26th January.
Norfolk Considers New School Term Dates for 2026-2027
In the UK, it’s up to Local Authorities to set term dates for council-maintained schools in their area, with Academies and Trust schools usually following suit. To make things simple, Norfolk County Council want to match up their term dates with neighbouring counties in East Anglia. Results of their consultation will be published in Spring to give ample time for parents, schools, and transport providers to prepare.
Industry and legislative news:
English Devolution White Paper Published
Labour’s blueprint for English Devolution has been released in full, with a mission statement to “ignite growth in every region”. The proposed changes mark a clear shift towards regional-level governance, planning, and economic growth programmes.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the major proposals:
- Universal coverage of Strategic Authorities means every area in the UK will have a Spatial Development Strategy, as was the case before the Localism Act of 2011.
- Metro Mayors will have greater scope to enact change, with a switch from unanimous voting to simple majority voting among constituent councils. They’ll receive new powers similar to the Mayor of London, along with Integrated Funding Settlements for more ambitious policy agendas.
- Local government reorganisation will see a move towards the Unitary Authority model in councils with a population of 500,000 or more. It’s hoped this will “save significant money… and improve accountability with fewer politicians”.
- New reporting bodies will be created, including a Council of Nations and Regions and a Mayoral Council, so national and local government are working more closely.
Government Tries to Find a Balance in AI Debate
In a recent press release, the government announced that it will be reviewing the UK’s current copyright framework and how AI models can use digital data. This is a complex debate — more regulation could harm tech companies, but too little could alienate our creative sector — and we want to avoid a situation where there are ‘winners’ and ‘losers’
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:
“This is all about partnership: balancing strong protections for creators while removing barriers to AI innovation; and working together across government and industry sectors to deliver this.”
If you’d like to share your views, a Citizen Space consultation is currently underway. Here, you’ll find a summary assessment of options and a quick survey to complete. The deadline for responses is the 25th February 2025.