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Unannounced consultations! – No-one now waits for the consultation to start

Leave a Comment / Article, Tuesday Topic /

Consultation has always been a formal process within a wider environment of public engagement. No-one has ever suggested that we have to declare a consultation before a public debate can take place and, of course, a great number of important issues generating enormous controversies are never subject to consultation. Indeed it has always seemed a […]

Unannounced consultations! – No-one now waits for the consultation to start Read More »

Not quite force majeure – When events appear to compromise a consultation

Leave a Comment / Article, Tuesday Topic /

Three quite separate and seemingly unrelated situations arose in one day last week. The Government’s decision to provide transitional help for Councils who are currently in consultation on new Council tax benefit schemes. The extra £100m just announced may indeed be welcome (it’s equal to about 25% of the 10% cut in the available money)

Not quite force majeure – When events appear to compromise a consultation Read More »

Consultation and the “Schofield Syndrome” – Why broadcaster’s experience of social media holds important messages for public engagement

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In preparation for the Institute’s Tenth Anniversary in 2013, there has been a good deal of discussion about the most significant changes that have taken place over the decade. We have concluded that there are two massive issues:

Consultation and the “Schofield Syndrome” – Why broadcaster’s experience of social media holds important messages for public engagement Read More »

Improve the Cabinet Office Principles! – The Institute presents evidence to the House of Lords Scrutiny Committee investigating the new Cabinet Office engagement and consultation Principles

Leave a Comment / Article, Tuesday Topic /

It’s probably true to say that we were all taken by surprise when the Cabinet Office suddenly produced its new set of Principles in July. The Institute certainly was not aware … and we are yet to meet any of the Whitehall Departmental Consultation Co-ordinators who had advance notice. But, in hindsight, there were many

Improve the Cabinet Office Principles! – The Institute presents evidence to the House of Lords Scrutiny Committee investigating the new Cabinet Office engagement and consultation Principles Read More »

Local Council tax benefits – possible re-consultation

Article, Briefing Note /

In recent months, English local authorities have been conducting public consultations on the design of local Council Tax benefit support schemes, replacing the previous nationwide arrangements. It has been a challenge, as the Government laid down strict rules for these replacement schemes – and simultaneously reduced the available money by 10%. Pensioners could not be

Local Council tax benefits – possible re-consultation Read More »

A helpful hesitation – What lessons do we draw from delays to consultation?

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We have recently seen a spate of postponements. Consultations which were poised and ready to be announced are suddenly stopped in their tracks. Documents are sent back for further consideration; website pages are hurriedly amended, and the odd village hall booking has to be re-scheduled.

A helpful hesitation – What lessons do we draw from delays to consultation? Read More »

The devil in the detail – The case for consultation is strongest when there is much detail still to consider

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The Party political conference season is a great moment to reflect on the difference between headline-grabbing policy announcements and the more mundane detail that makes them happen. Our politicians know they need to sketch out the direction of their thinking, but recognise that going beyond generalities offers many a hostage to fortune.

The devil in the detail – The case for consultation is strongest when there is much detail still to consider Read More »

Goodbye tick-box; hello your honour! – Will the new Cabinet Office Consultation Principles’ attempt to end the tick-box habit result in a bigger role for the Courts?

Leave a Comment / Article, Tuesday Topic /

The infamous tick-box gets the blame for a lot. In the world of consultation, it is a regular refrain, with two different meanings. One is the criticism that the consultation isn’t a really serious attempt to listen at all – the consultor is just ‘going through the motions’, because the organisation is expected to undertake

Goodbye tick-box; hello your honour! – Will the new Cabinet Office Consultation Principles’ attempt to end the tick-box habit result in a bigger role for the Courts? Read More »

Hillsborough – would elected Police Commissioners have helped? – Is this a good reason to vote on 15th November?

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Just when we thought that elections for Police Commissioners were going to be the biggest non-event ever, the Hillsborough cover-up gives us all a reason to take them seriously. Or does it? Had we had elected Commissioners, of the kind now planned, in place over the last 23 years, would it either have prevented the

Hillsborough – would elected Police Commissioners have helped? – Is this a good reason to vote on 15th November? Read More »

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