FOI Release: Citizen Engagement Platforms
Published: 09 September 2025Freedom of information class: What we spend and how
FOI reference: CW-2025-480
Date received: 14 August 2025
Date responded: 8 September 2025
Information requested:
1. Do you use a Citizen Engagement platform?
2. If so, what tools do you use?
3. How much do you spend annually on a Citizen Engagement tool?
4. Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end?
A citizen engagement platform is a digital tool or system designed to facilitate communication, interaction, and participation between citizens and government or public institutions. Its goal is to make civic involvement easier, more transparent, and more effective.
These platforms can be used by governments, cities, or organisations to:
Collect feedback on policies, services, or community issues Conduct surveys and polls Enable reporting of local issues, like potholes or graffiti Share updates, news, and documents with the public Encourage participatory budgeting or co-creation of solutions
Examples include tools like Granicus (EngagementHQ), CitizenSpace, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics or Commonplace. They can play a major role in increasing transparency, accountability, and trust in public decision-making.
Response:
The table below contains details on our key tools and platforms used to share updates and gather feedback from our customers. Our contract information is recorded by total contract value instead of annual spend therefore this has been provided below.
| Tool | Spend | Contract Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp (email newsletters) | Total contract value £2,624.40 incl. VAT | June 2024 - June 2026 |
| Squiz (External website) | Total contract value £166,007.50 excl. VAT | April 2024 - April 2026 (with 1-year optional extension until April 2027) |
| BigMarker (Webinars/digital events) | Total contract value £71,753.31 excl. VAT | March 2025 - March 2028 |
We have not included information about our broader communication tools, such as our customer relationship management system or our telephone lines as we consider their primary function to be outwith the scope of your request.
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