Consultation overload?

A week or so ago David Robinson wrote an article urging charities and voluntary organisations to take notice of the number of consultations coming out from every government department. Don’t be caught napping Robinson says, “leaving unscrutinised policies wreaking havoc in two years' time.”

It is widely recognised from all sides that the expertise that voluntary sector organsiations have is crucial to informing and developing government policy leading to better and more effective programmes. We know from the contact we have every day with organisations that they are aware, engaged, and recognise that it is a fundamental part of their role to respond to consultations on behalf of the individuals and communities that they work for and represent.

However, we have got to remember that the whole consultation process is a two-way relationship. Yes organisations want to respond to relevant consultations and engage effectively with policy development. But when consultations happen they should happen in the right way, with enough clarity and with appropriate timescales to allow organisations to respond properly.

In both the Compact, and in government guidance on good practice for consultations, the standard deadline for formal written consultations is set out as being 12 weeks. We are seeing an increasing number of consultations shorter than this. And while organisations want to respond and want to scrutinise policy, they shouldn’t have to jump and respond to consultations without notice and where short deadlines are set. If government are serious about developing good policy and having worthwhile engagement with the voluntary sector then they should give organisations the best opportunity to respond.

If you have any concerns about a consultation you have been invited to respond to, contact the Compact Advocacy team.