6.13 Consultation with external experts and with those affected is very important at this stage, whether or not formal or informal consultation has taken place earlier on.
6.14 Consultation on projects will usually be on one or two lead proposals; whereas consultation on policy and programme proposals that have more widespread effects should usually be undertaken both earlier, and on a wide range of options and alternatives.
6.15 Analysis of who is affected by a proposal, undertaken as part of the appraisal, may be very useful in determining who should be consulted, and also in considering the details of implementation. Attention should be drawn to the key assumptions, options and implementation issues. Consultation exercises should be drawn up in line with the following best practice guidelines:3
❑ Use the most appropriate approach. Written consultation may not the best way to canvass views on a policy or project option. Methods include meetings with interested parties and user surveys.
❑ Consultation should be easy to respond to (e.g., by electronic means).
❑ Check if statutory obligations apply.
❑ Allow sufficient time; consultation should be built into the planning process at the start.
❑ Be clear about who is being consulted, about what, in what time-scale, for what purpose.
❑ Consider joining up with other consultations, for instance in other government departments.
❑ Consultation documents should be clear, concise and focused.
❑ Ensure that the process reaches the target audience.
❑ Ensure that people are told the results, and the reasons for decisions taken.
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3 For further information on carrying out consultation exercises, refer to the Cabinet Office (http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/)