Describe your idea:

Adding schools and GP’s surgeries to WhatDoTheyKnow.com.

[As a volunteer helping on WhatDoTheyKnow I’m keen to work on this anyway.]

What problem does it solve?:

Many people are not currently aware they can make requests for information to schools and GPs, this will help address that problem. Once on WhatDoTheyKnow users can make FOI requests without having to look up contact information themselves; and any information released will be automatically published online making it available to others.

I believe the increased openness and transparency will act as a driving force for improvement in schools and GPs and may result in best practice being more effectively promulgated. I also expect corruption and waste may be exposed and deterred.

Type of idea: New feature for an existing project

Describe your idea:

A web based service which matches public sector bodies with money to invest with public sector bodies looking for loans.

The same system could also match up bodies looking to invest sums at similar times, and for similar periods. This would enable public bodies to consolidate their funds to take advantage of better commercial investment opportunities which are only accessible to those with very large amounts to invest.

What problem does it solve?:

Significant amounts of public money held by councils, police authorities, government agencies and other public sector bodies is invested in banks. When public bodies are in deficit they turn to the banks to lend them money.

Public bodies have taken risks with public money, putting it at risk in their attempt to maximize the return on their investments. Investing in other public bodies is relatively very low risk, as they are essentially underwritten by the government.

The project would save public money by retaining the banks’ cut for public benefit or resulting in public authorities being able to access better investment opportunities.

MySociety could charge site users and use the revenue to fund this and other projects.

Type of idea: A brand new project

Describe your idea:

A web based service which matches public sector bodies with money to invest with public sector bodies looking for loans.

The same system could also match up bodies looking to invest sums at similar times, and for similar periods. This would enable public bodies to consolidate their funds to take advantage of better commercial investment opportunities which are only accessible to those with very large amounts to invest.

What problem does it solve?:

A significant amount of public money held by councils, police authorities, and other public bodies is invested in financial institutions (some is in a precarious position in Iceland!).

Public bodies have taken financial risks in their attempts to maximize the return on their investments. Investing in other public bodies is relatively very low risk, as they are essentially underwritten by the government; this is currently hard to arrange though.

The project also would save public money by retaining the banks’ cut for public benefit or result in public authorities being able make more money by accessing better investment opportunities.

By charging commission MySociety could fund this and other projects.

Type of idea: A brand new project

Describe your idea:

I’m suggesting a system for alerting people to consultations which are being run by central government, councils and other public bodies. The system would also enable people to respond to the consultation – posting their response on the site – and allow discussion.

In 2006 Tom Longley responded to a previous MySociety call for proposals making essentially this same suggestion. I think his arguments are still valid, and the site he described is still needed.

Harry Metcalfe has made a brilliant site in TellThemWhatYouThink.org; what I’m suggesting is that either that needs to be built on and given some MySociety magic, TLC, etc. or a new site started.

What problem does it solve?:

Currently its hard to find out when you’re being asked for your opinions by government, few consultation systems enable those responding to see what others have written and permit constructive debate.

Consultation isn’t being done as well as it could be, and large amounts public money is being spent on running consultations which could be better run via such a website. A great consultations website could save public money and result in better legislation being produced and better decisions being made.

http://www.consultations.gov.uk/ briefly existed listing details of current government consultations, but it didn’t last long – MySociety could bid to reincarnate it and do it “properly”.

Type of idea: A brand new project

Describe your idea:

In Jan ‘09 MySociety’s Tom Steinberg suggested the next government should: “commission the world’s first system capable of large scale deliberation”. I’m suggesting MySociety build such an online discussion and debating system.

I envisage a system capable of enabling thousands to comment on major issues as well as helping a small groups working towards resolving a local or niche question.

Automatic inclusion of consultations, bills, and planning applications would be a great start. Potential discussion include simple voting/ rating; wikis; commenting per-section of a document; the ability to view, rate and build on others’ contributions; as well as other tools for collaboration.

What problem does it solve?:

Relatively few people respond to government consultations, comment on planning applications, or make their views known to government or their elected representatives. Tapping into the expertise and views of more people when making public decisions may make for better government.

Current online discussion systems lack mechanisms to summarise the results of a debate and pass them on to those responsible for making decisions and people are not effectively alerted when their opinion is being asked.

Everyone has an opinion on “political” dilemmas facing their local community, their profession, the country; such a system would help more people influence decisions which affect their lives.

Type of idea: A brand new project