It's all about Consultation

Consultation - involving the public in the work of local government - has become an integral part of the policy-making process.

It's not simply about more open-government, although that too is important, it's about making policies more effective by listening to and taking on-board the views of the public and interested groups. We publish our proposed, current and completed consultations so that we can inform and involve you in the key council decisions. You can also register to be kept informed on proposed and current consultation.

Listening to the public has a number of specific benefits, it:

  • allows the council to tap the widest source of information possible and thus improves the quality of decisions reached;
  • alerts policy makers to any concerns and issues not picked up through existing evidence;
  • helps to monitor existing policy and whether changes are needed.

When Nottinghamshire County Council consults we aim to:

  • build a realistic timeframe for the consultation, allowing plenty of time for each stage of the process;
  • be clear as to who is being consulted, about what and for what specific purpose;
  • ensure that the document is as simple and concise as possible. It should include a summary and clearly set out the questions it wishes to address;
  • always distribute documents as widely as possible, using electronic means (but not at the exclusion of others);
  • make sure all responses are carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and the reasons for decisions finally taken.

An important example

We asked for your views on the current Council Tax system, and what you thought of alternative methods of paying for local services. See the findings from the Council Tax alternatives survey.

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