Consultation is vital to local authorities and helps decisions to be made on how to shape and improve services. The public sector’s duty to involve and engage with members of the public can also require considerable resources, particularly staff time and is frequently challenged to demonstrate inclusivity and reach.
Technology is assisting and even driving forward the way in which decisions are being made as: The public are being given immediate access to the vital information they need to make informed decisions and by facilitating the sharing of opinions and debate to the wider population. This approach is much more proactive and early engagement goes a long way to building public trust.
Digital media is also affecting democratic debate. The rise of social media and blogs has given anyone with access to the internet the chance to voice their concerns and aspirations.
window.i connect makes life easier for local authorities as it gives a visible and measurable way of consulting residents, including many who are not usually engaged by traditional methods, i.e. hard to reach groups such as the elderly and ethnic minorities. The other benefits include:
Where local authorities have embarked on successful consultation programmes it has been found that they:
-
are seen as listening and responding to the views and ideas of its community
-
can better understand public opinion
-
work alongside partners, businesses, stakeholders and residents to improve the services we provide
-
can achieve better performance by providing services that the local community want and avoiding what people do not want
-
increase confidence and levels of satisfaction both internally and externally
-
increase confidence and levels of satisfaction both internally and externally
raise awareness and understanding of the council
-
increase participation in local government and the democratic process
-
meet their legal/statutory obligations to consult staff, employers’ associations and trade unions
Want to know more?
Contact us for an informal chat.