Consultation strategy and finder. Worth checking out.

The following is taken from Bristol City Council's web site and the link for the Consultation Strategy is:

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Council-Democracy/
Consultations/consultation-strategy.en

It is also worth checking out the Consultation Finder page (which didn't have the proposed Portway park and ride expansion listed. Why not? I don't know but it is a consultation to the public. Is feedback being limited?) The link is:

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Council-Democracy/
Consultations/consultation-finder.en?Task=list&Status=0&Ward=0
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Consultation principles

The following principles underpin the council's consultation work:

1. Consultation should be needed
   Before any new consultation begins, a thorough search will be made to find out whether relevant questions have already been asked of the public. We will avoid unnecessary repetition and duplicates and answers that already exist will be taken into account before any further consultation is undertaken.
2. Opinion should be informed Consultation will aim to seek informed public opinion and not just instant reaction. Whenever possible, the council's communication mechanisms will be used alongside consultation to inform and stimulate public interest, particularly in relation to major strategic and city wide issues.
3. Decisions should be based on evidence The council will adopt clear processes of consultation which, wherever possible, produce results that are measurable and can be evaluated objectively.
4. Purpose should be clear Any consultation will contain a clear statement describing why it is being carried out and how the results will be used. The way the consultation links to the council's wider corporate aims, work programmes and statutory policy framework will also be described.
5. Consultation should be well planned and timely Consultees will be given adequate time to prepare their response. It is recognised that the length of time will vary depending on the time of year and the level of response that is being sought. Sufficient time will be allowed for the results of consultation to be collated, analysed and considered, so that the results of consultation feed directly into the decision making process.
6. Consultation should be inclusive Consultation will aim to be inclusive. To achieve this, the council will give particular consideration to the needs of people with impaired sight or hearing or who have learning difficulties; people whose first language is not English or who cannot read at all and people who might have problems with physical access such as people in wheelchairs and people with pushchairs. In addition, the council will take steps to ensure that the views of younger people, older people, people from ethnic minority communities and others whose views are frequently excluded or overlooked, are actively sought as part of consultation that is inclusive and representative of the community as a whole.
7. Methods should be appropriate and well-managed The council will use a wide range of public consultation methods. They will be used appropriately, reflecting the strengths and weaknesses of each method and will be managed with a clear understanding of the particular skills, knowledge and resources that consultation requires.
8. Results should be acknowledged and fully considered
   The full range of views expressed during consultation will be acknowledged and attention drawn to areas of agreement and disagreement. The results of public consultation will be weighed carefully together with other evidence and considerations.
9. Accessible feedback should be given
   Accessible feedback will be provided both on the results of consultation and on how they have been used, in order to encourage greater public participation in the future.
10. Effectiveness should be evaluated
    The effectiveness of major public consultation will be evaluated and the results shared to encourage broader lessons to be learned. Evaluation will consider not only the number of responses received but also the quality, cost and timeliness of the consultation and the overall usefulness of the results in helping to inform decisions.

The council's commitment

The council will do the following when it consults:

• value your contribution to consultation and will not ask you the same questions over again in a short space of time, without good cause
• aim to provide sufficient background information to enable you to understand and respond to the consultation material
• aim to produce consultation results that are measurable and can be evaluated objectively
• present a clear reason for carrying out consultation and will endeavour to offer you meaningful choices. Consultation will not be used simply to rubber stamp decisions that have already been taken
• be clear about how the consultation is being organised and how responses should be made
• explain the purpose of the consultation and how it anticipates the results will be used
• strive to allow sufficient time for the consultation
• aim to make the consultation inclusive by taking account of any particular needs or difficulties you have to enable you to respond to the consultation
• make appropriate use of a wide range of consultation methods
• offer feedback on the results of the consultation and on how these results have been used to inform decision-making, once the consultation is complete
• will respond to your comments on being consulted by considering how future consultations might be improved.

What we expect from consultees

The council has the following reasonable expectations of its consultees:

• consider carefully how members of any group you are representing through the consultation have been involved in formulating the response, especially ensuring you represent the full range of members' views, highlighting areas where agreement and disagreement exists
• ensure your contribution is accurate and authoritative, especially where your particular skills or expertise are being sought
• ensure your responses are as clear and concise as possible and relevant to the issues being considered
• be courteous and respectful of other people's views and courteous towards representatives of the council when engaging in public consultation events

Consultation methods

The council is experienced in using a range of consultation methods. When we conduct consultation, we choose from this range an appropriate method of consulting with the target group in line with the principles of the consultation strategy. The consultation methods document sets out the following:

• The consultation methods
• The circumstances in which they are used
• Strengths of the method
• Drawbacks of the method
• Cost indications of the method
• How methods have been used previsouly by Bristol City Council