Consultation

Consultation has become an essential element in the development and design of new and existing service provision. Whether selecting new technology for a waste infrastructure project or investigating ways to improve local public transport, a properly conducted consultation process will enable service providers to make an informed decision: balancing public demand with policy objectives and any fiscal constraints.

Resource Futures understands that consultation is not just about public meetings and that it is important to reach all affected stakeholders the majority of which rarely, if ever, attend public meetings. It is important to engage with the silent majority who often hold views in the middle ground and to reach those hard to engage sections of the population who can find it hard to participate in traditional consultation processes. To engage successfully with all stakeholders Resource Futures utilises a range of consultation activities including:

• public meetings
• focus groups
• engaging with local community groups and business associations
• targeted communications and pro-actively searching out under-represented groups
• one–to-one depth interviews
• attitudinal surveys, face-to-face, telephone and web-based

Resource Futures divides the consultation process into four parts and is able to help clients with the full process or to contribute stage by stage as required.

• developing consultation parameters: ensuring that there is clarity on the options available so that consultees are not misled as to what is possible, identifying who the stakeholders are and any segmentation that may be necessary

• communicating the issues and options to stakeholders: including any restraints and developing simple messaging especially where complex technical issues need to be understood by a non technical audience

• undertaking the consultation process: utilising appropriate activities to reach different stakeholder groups
• providing feedback: It is important that stakeholders are informed of the outcomes and how decisions have been reached