top 10 consultation mistakes and how to avoid them
TRANSCRIPT
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Housekeeping!
@TCInews
• Fire exits & facilities…• Documentation etc• Phone etiquette • Twitter?
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Consultation Research
Consultation-related events
eg #TCI11 Conference 22 October 2014
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Missing Impact Assessment
Legal requirement
• Not complete• Done retrospectively
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Secretary of State for Education
Versus
Luton BC, Nottingham CC, Waltham Forest LB, Newham LB, Kent CC, Sandwell MBC
Cancel “Building Schools for the Future”
• Ministers are not “above the law”
Birmingham City Council versus “R”
Changes to social care policy
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Survey Error
Can skew entire consultation
• No framing questions• No narrative / out of context• Too complex• Broken logic
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No scope/scope creep
Lack of clarity about what can and can’t be influenced
• Creates confusion• Helps focus evaluation• Clouds key issues• Less meaningful
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Public meeting shambles
Mismanagement
• Poor facilitation• Venue choice (parking?)• Format• Inequalities
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Poor publicity
Missing voices, poor participation rates
• Can create inequalities• Not reviewed• Not proactive
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Save our Surgery Ltd
Versus
The Joint Committee of PCTs
Avoid closure of Cardiac Unit at Leeds Infirmary
• Did not reveal sub-scores from panel• Refused requests for information on scoring
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Disclosure
Consultation does not allow for intelligent consideration
• Missing information• Two-way disclosure• Transient stages
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Managing stakeholders
Inform, feedback cycle
• Identification of key ones• Social listening & intelligence• Dealing with complaints• Missing voices
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Fair interpretation
Balanced & honest findings
• Perceived bias (credibility)• Presentation of results• Improper analysis tools
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Data handling
Balanced & honest findings
• Dealing with qualitative data• Activity evidence• Coding
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Predetermination
Honest integrity
• Stepping back• Preferred options• Pre-consultation• Honey trap
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Parting dale Lane Residents Association
Versus
London Borough of Barnet
Order to re-open previously closed road
• Elected member speeches and emails said it would happen
• Evidentiary value of emails etc. in establishing that decision maker had made up their mind