Consultation is the vital process which allows communities to have a say on important decisions. It should never be a 'tick box' exercise. We ensure you use the right consultation methods to engage the right people and communities at the right time. We assist you in using consultation outcomes to inform and develop proposals and services.

We can advise on, design and deliver consultations that adhere to the principles of best practice, outlined in The Consultation Institute's Charter. Our close association with the Institute ensures we have detailed knowledge and understanding of public and stakeholder consultation processes in many different situations. Our extensive experience of a wide range of consultation techniques and dialogue methods means that we can provide a comprehensive service. Consultations undertaken by us can be independently assessed for compliance with best practice by The Consultation Institute.

We can offer:

• Consultancy and advice - we can work with your organisation to identify the most appropriate consultation methods considering your desired outcomes and available budgets. We aim to build trust with those we consult. We can provide guidance to you on how to overcome the challenges within the consultation process including engaging effectively with seldom heard communities.
• Consultation design - our experience means we can design the right consultation for you and your audiences. We understand the importance of getting consultation methods right and of making your consultation meaningful.
• Consultation Delivery - we are able to lead on the implementation of complex consultation projects.

Budget Consultation

We can help you to design and deliver an effective budget consultation process that meets all of these criteria.This year, with the pressures mounting on public finances, budget consultation with local communities about the decisions that need to be made, will become arguably both more important and more difficult to get right, than ever.The immense challenges that will be faced by local public services in setting their budgets for next year, represent a very real and challenging opportunity to deliver high quality engagement and consultation. It is vital that those who will be affected by the cuts (all of us) are given a real chance to have our say, as long as there is a genuine opportunity to influence the decisions.Download the more detailed briefing paper that Rachel Lopata wrote for The Consultation Institute here.