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Public Consultation

Telling us your views will help us to shape the services in the Council.

How can you do this?

• View more information - Surrey Heath Community Panel.

What Is Consultation?

"Consultation is a process of dialogue that leads to a decision."
'Listen Up! Effective Community Consultation', Audit Commission (1999)
Consultation is about asking the community for information on particular issues or services in order, to determine problems, assess service standards and check performance. The information gathered will be used to assist decision-making.

It involves informing people about what the Council does or what they need to do, learning from people, listening to their views, and exchanging views with the public on problems and possible solutions.

Consultation involves establishing an on-going dialogue with people who currently use the Council's services and those who might do so in the future; with staff who provide the services and with people and groups affected by those services. It also means engaging formally with local communities. These might be communities of local residents, involved through local area committees or communities with the same interests.


Why Consult?

Effective consultation can strengthen local democracy because it encourages a closer relationship between decision-makers and the people affected by their decisions.

Consultation gives the residents of Surrey Heath a chance to express their views of the Council's current services and policies, proposed new developments, spending priorities and vision for the future. Local people become more aware of public policy and the Council Officers and Councillors develop a better understanding of the public's point of view.

Consultation has also become an integral part of developing Surrey Heath's policies such as political reorganisation, cultural strategy, sustainable development and crime and disorder.

How To Consult

For further information on public consultation, please contact Jo Hardy on 01276 707545 or Joanna.Hardy@surreyheath.gov.uk