News & Insights
A Question of Relevance – Why we need to focus on the right issues
If you look down a list of consultations from a range of public bodies, two things become immediately obvious. One is the sheer variety of topics and issues. The other is the number that appear to focus upon procedural rather than substantive matters.
There are good reasons why this happens. Legislators are acutely conscious of governance issues – how public bodies are run – and are sensitive to any allegations of tinkering around with the rules which could be construed as bureaucratic gerrymandering. There has, therefore, arisen a general presumption that changes to the structure or governance of public institutions should always be preceded by consultation.
So if the boundaries need to change, or if Board membership needs to be amended, or if funding arrangements need updating etcetera, there is quite likely to be a dry-as-dust consultation paper of little interest to anyone save those who are directly concerned
Access to this content is exclusively for Institute members
Not a member? Unlock this article and more today by signing up for a Consultation Institute membership. Benefit from access to over 300 Topic Papers and Briefing Notes, discounted rates on all public training and more. Click on Join Now today to find out more and sign up.
Rhion Jones
More news
A Section 114 notice is a statutory declaration that a council cannot balance its budget under the Local Government Finance Act 1988....
A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is a document submitted alongside a planning application that records what engagement took place...
Public bodies are generally aware that they can be challenged for running a bad consultation. Fewer are aware that they...
