Public consultations are one of the more traditional approaches to engaging with and involving people but they can be an appropriate method when carried out according to best practice standards, accompanied by excellent provision of information and supported by other forms of involvement.
The Government has a Code of Practice on Consultation which should be read and followed in full. The code sets out the following seven criteria for consultation:
Criterion 1 - When to consult
Formal consultation should take place at a stage when there is scope to influence the policy outcome.
Criterion 2 - Duration of consultation exercises
Consultations should normally last for at least 12 weeks with consideration given to longer timescales where feasible and sensible.
Criterion 3 - Clarity of scope and impact
Consultation documents should be clear about the consultation process, what is being proposed, the scope to influence and the expected costs and benefits of the proposals.
Criterion 4 - Accessibility of consultation exercises
Consultation exercises should be designed to be accessible to, and clearly targeted at, those people the exercise is intended to reach.
Criterion 5 - The burden of consultation
Keeping the burden of consultation to a minimum is essential if consultations are to be effective and if consultees’ buy-in to the process is to be obtained.
Criterion 6 - Responsiveness of consultation exercises
Consultation responses should be analysed carefully and clear feedback should be provided to participants following the consultation.
Criterion 7 - Capacity to consult
Officials running consultations should seek guidance in how to run an effective consultation exercise and share what they have learned from the experience.
The Process Planner on the People and Participation Website contains checklists which are useful in planning a consultation or other approach to involvement.
If you are planning a public consultation on difficult issues or plans which have a potential negative impact concerning your museum, library or archive service please ensure that you have spoken to the MLA Field Team in your region. You should also ensure that you have undertaken an Equality Impact Assessment.
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