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What happens if an organisation wants to withdraw options during a public consultation?

This was the question in an important Judicial Review last week concerning a London Borough. No doubt all the options were viable when the consultation began. But was it lawful for the Council to withdraw some of them when they realised that they were no longer affordable? Was this a breach of the Gunning Principle […]

What happens if an organisation wants to withdraw options during a public consultation? Read More »

Democracy must be at heart of English devolution

English devolution is gathering pace. The Government is set on supporting devolution to combined local authorities and directly elected mayors across England. Local government is responding with enthusiasm and energy. There are many arguments to be made for this policy though the extent of the devolved powers and the transfer of resources to support these

Democracy must be at heart of English devolution Read More »

Unknown unknowns ?? – How to consult meaningfully when stakeholder audiences are unaware….

People speculate about Donald Rumsfeld’s often-quoted reference to known unknowns and unknown unknowns. According to Wikipedia, the latter term was first used in a D.H.Lawrence poem. Despite this, few people argue against the analysis – and it most certainly applies in the world of public consultation. Let us take the current debate on the forthcoming

Unknown unknowns ?? – How to consult meaningfully when stakeholder audiences are unaware…. Read More »

Reputation at Risk – Beware the danger that lawyers could help you damage your reputation

Within hours of the poignant celebrations in Liverpool as the Hillsborough families marked the Inquest verdict, and called for ‘Justice’, the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police was suspended. This was not directly related to the tragic events of 27 years ago. Nor was it about the shameful cover-up. The reality is that Peter Crampton

Reputation at Risk – Beware the danger that lawyers could help you damage your reputation Read More »

The Institute’s response to the National Audit Office’s report on Devolution

The National Audit Office (NAO) produced an important Report last week – assessing the progress made on English devolution. It highlights the fact that the DCLG’s Cities and Local Growth Unit now has 155 staff masterminding the 10 devolution deals already struck … and the 34 proposals submitted by English Councils last September. It raises

The Institute’s response to the National Audit Office’s report on Devolution Read More »

New NHS England Guideline update on Service changes

Getting ready to deliver an Executive Briefing tomorrow, we have today finished our line-by-line look at the new 2015 version of this important Guide – it matters to many of my LinkedIn colleagues and members of the Consultation Institute. Its title is “Planning, assuring and delivering service change for patients” It reinforces the need for

New NHS England Guideline update on Service changes Read More »

How the DWP got it wrong – One of the causes of Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation was a flawed public consultation by the Department of Work and Pensions

Whilst political journalists and commentators of every hue enjoy pouring over the entrails of the weekend’s dramatic political developments, this Tuesday Topic looks at just one specialist aspect of the story. Leaving aside the merits of the case for changing Personal Independence Payments to disabled people, was the consultation leading to the Government’s recent announcement

How the DWP got it wrong – One of the causes of Iain Duncan Smith’s resignation was a flawed public consultation by the Department of Work and Pensions Read More »

Brussels consults … yes it does! – Many will be surprised by the range and quality of EU consultations – and their relevance.

Hands up everyone. Who among you has EVER responded to a European Union consultation? As the Referendum debate rages, a familiar, oft-repeated allegation is that European institutions remain remote and opaque. Brussels has long been characterised – at least by large chunks of the UK media – as an overbearing bureaucratic machine, unresponsive to any

Brussels consults … yes it does! – Many will be surprised by the range and quality of EU consultations – and their relevance. Read More »

Majority vote – A Referendum is only one form of decision-making and there are other good ideas around!

Ever since the Institute began, the first thing taught to members and supporters is the mantra Consultation is not a Vote. Indeed, it was the theme of the first ever Tuesday Topic. But, of course, there are times when major decisions only feel fair and democratic if a Referendum is held; and supporters of direct

Majority vote – A Referendum is only one form of decision-making and there are other good ideas around! Read More »

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