What is engagement and consultation
Engagement and consultation help us understand what people think and make sure their views are considered in our decisions. Both are important, and we will use the right approach depending on the situation.
Engagement is a broad term that includes many activities, from sharing information to working together on projects. It means having ongoing conversations with people to hear their ideas and views when planning or changing services. It helps us understand different needs and make better informed decisions.
What we will engage and consult about
We’ll engage when we:
- are legally required to consult (statutory requirement or expectation)
- review services to gather feedback on how effective they are and ensure people who use them are at the heart of their redesign
- propose a policy or service change that could impact you
- test new proposals and ideas
- are strategic planning to check our plans meet needs
- assess and address service gaps and unmet needs
- seek ongoing customer feedback to improve services and address issues
Who we will engage and consult
We’ll identify and involve those who are affected by the decisions we make. This will include, but not be limited to:
- residents
- people who use our services
- groups with shared interests, geography or personal characteristics and those who represent them
- town and parish councils and their urban equivalents
- community and voluntary groups
- councillors
- council staff and people employed in the county
- local businesses and partner organisations
- other public bodies and authorities