What we're up to:

New, improved FixMyStreet app

The most convenient time to report street faults is when you see them — and we know that a lot of people use FixMyStreet on the go.

Now we're delighted to announce a new, fully-featured FixMyStreet app, available for all types of smartphone.

If you've been using our older app, we recommend checking to ensure it's been updated. And if you haven't, what are you waiting for?! Check out your phone's app store and search for FixMyStreet - then look for the familiar icon of a white spanner on a yellow background:

As a Progressive Web App, this new version is able to give you a fully-featured experience that's identical to using the desktop version of the site.

So now it's even easier to report all those potholes, overflowing bins or anything else that needs fixing in your neighbourhood. Let's get to it!

Exploring the future of democracy

Democracy 2043

What does an ideal democracy look like? And what do we need to put in place now to make it a reality?

On Wednesday 24th May we'll be discussing just that at the Festival of Debate. And to help us, we've convened an amazing panel of thinkers and doers:

Still more democracy!

We're not the only organisation digging into the topic of democracy at the Festival of Debate: in fact there's a whole strand dedicated to the topic. The following events are online and accessible wherever you're located:

• Think Tanks: Malign or Benign? with Media North
• How Do We Invest in City Transitions & The People Who Live Here? with Sheffield Credit Union
• Create a People's Constitution for Yorkshire with Democratic Yorkshire

How have you used FixMyStreet?

Tell us about it!

We're looking for your stories of how you've used FixMyStreet to make things better. Perhaps you lobbied for a zebra crossing, objected to a dangerous junction, or dealt with undesirable fly tipping?

Or maybe you've used FixMyStreet for something completely different! We'd love to hear. Fill in our survey here.

What we're reading

• In 'joining things up' news, the government are planning a digital data catalogue.
• This year's Open Government Partnership global summit will be in Estonia.
• Pol.is is a platform for surveying people on divisive or complex topics. Here's the consensus (and otherwise) on statements around generative AI.
• If you want to find out why a sandwich is so expensive, FOI is one approach.
• We're impressed by the data tracking this lost cat's whereabouts, and glad to see he has been found.
• Looking for a set of tiny municipal bins? You came to the right place.

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