We all know the traditional model of consultation. A document is launched, a period of time is set and consultees have until the published end-date to respond, answer whatever questions are asked or make their submissions so that the decision-makers can take these views into account. We have a ‘twelve-week rule’ – except it isn’t […]
This is the fourth attempt (over 13 years) to prescribe a set of rules for Government departments and other public bodies to conduct public and stakeholder consultations. And in many ways it is the most interesting, for it needs to cope with a very different world, and meet the admirable goal of being more succinct,
Public service planners are facing a very awkward dilemma. If they adopt an optimistic view of available public expenditure – and assume a slow return to economic growth, they can limit proposed changes to public services to those that are necessary to balance the books over the medium term. Just enough cuts to get us
The thin end of the wedge – Public consultations in an age of uncertainty Read More »
Public consultations are beginning to play a rather different role in some organisations. Traditionally, they have been used to inform policy-makers who need to take account of a range of opinions before arriving at their conclusions. Equally they have helped public bodies handle important debates where difficult decisions have to be taken. We know they
Those of us deeply involved with public consultations on a daily basis can easily overlook the wider context of our work. Whilst there are lots of other reasons for organising a consultation, one of the most important is to help politicians, civil servants, senior Managers and others make policy. It has never been easy, but
We live in uncertain times and with conflicting visions of our future. Right now it is as difficult to predict what will happen to the private sector as to the public sector. Amid the diverse predictions, there is but one constant – the overwhelming likelihood of change. But, when it comes to public services, so
From time to time you will all see simplistic definitions of the term ‘consultation’. You know the sort we mean. ‘Listening to people’s views’ is typical, or ‘Asking stakeholders what they think of our proposals’. Those who have attended Institute courses will know that the defining characteristic of a proposed consultation is that it should
This week Local Councillors and those who aspire to become ones will stand for election, and despite genuine concern about the state of our democracy, millions of us will exercise our right to vote. What happens afterwards?
Consultation is an invitation to influence us. We are effectively saying to whoever is interested:- Please give us your views, so that we can take an informed decision. So how well do we frame this invitation?
A convincing narrative – Is there a special skill to writing a good consultation paper? Read More »
Last week’s Key Issue Workshop was about Wind Farms! But it could equally have been about a range of other infrastructure developments which local residents would, in the ideal world, prefer to reject. The issues go to the heart of the contemporary consultation dilemma. How to convince the public that their views will be genuinely
Update coming soon
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