FAQs

This Assembly will follow a tried and tested democratic process used all over the world. It brings together a group of people selected by lottery, who broadly represent Oxfordshire’s communities. The people who attend will learn about the issues and then discuss them with one another. They will then make recommendations about what should happen and how things should change.

MutualGain is the independent organisation delivering the Assembly. It exists to connect the conversations taking place in communities with those taking place in organisations, so that our democracy is refreshed through more effective policies and actions that feel collaborative. 

The Sortition Foundation is a not for profit organisation that specialises in recruiting for these kinds of events. We select people by lottery, in a way that is representative of the wider population.

People who have been selected to take part will have the opportunity to meet with people from all walks of life who live in and around Oxfordshire. They will hear from engaging speakers, and then discuss the issues involved in small groups. Each group will have a facilitator to make sure everyone has their voice heard. They do not need to have any knowledge of the topics – all the information they need will be provided throughout the process.

• Saturday 8 February, 10am - 4pm
• Sunday 9 February, 10am - 4pm
• Wednesday 12 February, 6pm - 9pm
• Saturday 1 March, 10am - 4pm
• Sunday 2 March, 10am - 4pm
• Wednesday 5 March, 6pm - 9pm
• Wednesday 12 March, 6pm - 9pm
• Saturday 15 March, 10am - 4pm
• Sunday 16 March, 10am - 1pm

All the sessions are being held at County Hall. They are closed meetings and will not be broadcast to protect the confidentiality of participants. We will keep people up to date on what is happening at the assembly through this page.

We are working hard to make sure the assembly is accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all. 

• Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
• Everyone will have access to a prayer room or quiet space during the day.
• There is no dress code. People are encouraged to wear whatever feels comfortable to them.
• The information provided during the event will be as jargon-free as possible. 
• There will be opportunities for participants to ask speakers to explain what they mean if what they are saying is not clear.
• If anyone needs extra support, like translation or help with accessibility, childcare, or other caring duties, we will do our best to provide it. 
• Disabled parking is available. 
• Everyone who is selected to take part and attends, will receive £585 from Mutual Gain to thank them for giving 45 hours of their time. This payment is optional and will be paid directly into people's bank accounts.

8,000 address have been chosen by the Sortition Foundation to receive invitations. Anyone 16 or older in a household who receives an invitation can apply, apart from the exceptions below. People must normally live in the area and live full or part time at the address. Once registration has closed 40 people will be selected by democratic lottery to take part in the event.  

The following people cannot apply. Elected representatives from any level of government, paid employees of any political party, and council employees in any politically restricted post.

The 18 advisory board members are :

• Dr Veronica Barry - Executive Director, Healthwatch Oxfordshire
• Cllr Robin Bennett - County Councillor for Berinsfield & Garsington - Green Party Member (Liberal Democrat Green Alliance)
• Michael Bettington - Head of Roads Policing, Thames Valley Police
• Bev Bishop - Head of Transport Behavioural Change, Department for Transport
• Xavier Brice - Chief Executive of Sustrans
• Cllr Liz Brighouse - County Councillor for Churchill & Lye Valley, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council's Labour Group (Labour & Co-operative Party Group)
• Rachel Geliamassi - Customer Services Director at Great Western Railway
• Ian Green - Chairman of Oxford Civic Society
• Chris Hulme - Traffic Management Officer, Thames Valley Police
• Sajad Khan - Chair of City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (COLTA)
• Dan Leveson - Place Director Oxfordshire, Buckinghamsire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB)
• Emily Lewis Edwards - Joint Chief Executive, Community First Oxfordshire
• Zuhura Plummer/Robin Tucker - Co-Chairs of Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (Oxfordshire)
• Cllr Sally Povolotsky - County Councillor for Hendreds & Harwell and Leader of the Independent Voice of Oxfordshire (Independent Member)
• Professor Alan Renwick - Deputy Director of the Constitution Unit at University College London (UCL)
• Professor Tim Schwanen - Director, Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford
• Cllr Ian Snowdon - County Councillor for Didcot West - Conservative Party Member (Conservative Independent Alliance)

The citizens' assembly is overseen by an independent advisory board to ensure it achieves its objectives. The advisory board's duties include helping to make sure the information discussed by participants is accurate and balanced and that the recommendations are considered by stakeholders and policymakers. They also help to review the scope of the assembly.