Deliberative Democracy

Organisations are increasingly turning to deliberative engagement processes to provide community/stakeholder input on complex and sensitive issues.

Participants are led through a facilitated process where they are briefed to build their knowledge and understanding, have the opportunity to ask questions and get further information, deliberate on the issues and then develop recommendations.

Nicola has designed and delivered successful deliberative processes for government and corporate clients.

On some of these projects, she has partnered with Desley Renton, Renton and Co. Nicola and Desley are a powerful combination and share a commitment to genuine engagement, a thirst for best practice, and expertise in building the capacity and reputations of the organisations they work with.

City of Glen Eira

Financial Sustainability Plan

In 2023, Desley Renton and Nicola Mendleson partnered with the City of Glen Eira on a broad engagement program and deliberative panel process to inform the development of a Financial Sustainability Plan.

In a time of rapidly increasing cost pressures, Council sought community views on service and infrastructure priorities and how it could generate income.

The program was designed and implemented within tight timeframes and budget. Nicola and Desley partnered with the Council team to make the most of in-house resources. The consultants led the development of the strategic approach, engagement plan and deliberative process with the in-house team leading the communications, coordination and logistics.

The consultants attended several Council meetings to bring the Councillor team on the journey and get their input into the process.

There was a high level of collaboration in the room as people worked together to understand the issues and provided Council with clear priorities and directions.

Essential Services Commission

Deliberative panel process to inform the 'Getting to fair: breaking down barriers to essential services strategy’

In 2021, Nicola and Desley delivered a deliberative engagement process with a randomly selected group of Victorians. The panel’s remit was to recommend how more Victorians can access and pay for essential services such as power and water, and to define customer wellbeing in this context.

The group included a diverse mix of backgrounds and equal representation from rural and regional Victoria, outer and inner Melbourne – recognising that where you live can impact how you access essential services.
The process took place during the pandemic and included ten online small and large group meetings.

It resulted in a range of practical recommendations which were used in the Getting to fair strategy.

Commissioners and staff found the information and experiences shared by participants invaluable. What was heard during this process continues to inform thinking at the Commission.

In 2022, Mendleson delivered another successful deliberative process for the Commission to inform the Review of the Energy Customer Code. A community panel of 29 people provided high quality insights and recommendations to inform the review.

Deliberative panel process to inform the 'Getting to fair: breaking down barriers to essential services strategy’