Boundary Commission for England

Code of Practice on written consultation

Criteria:

  1. Timing of consultation should be built into the planning process for a policy (including legislation) or service from the start, so that it has the best prospect of improving the proposals concerned, and so that sufficient time is left for it at each stage.

    The Commission comply with this requirement.
  2. It should be clear who is being consulted, about what questions, in what timescale, and for what purpose.

    The Commission comply with this requirement.
  3. A consultation document should be as simple and concise as possible. It should include a summary, in two pages at most, of the main questions it seeks views on. It should make it as easy as possible for readers to respond, make contact or complain.

    The Commission comply with the requirement that documents should be simple and concise. However, it is necessary, on occasions, for the summary of the recommendations to be more than two pages in length.
  4. Documents should be made widely available, with the fullest use of electronic means (though not to the exclusion of others), and effectively drawn to the attention of all interested groups and individuals.

    The Commission comply with this requirement.
  5. Sufficient time should be allowed for considered responses from all groups with an interest. Twelve weeks should be the standard minimum period for consultation.

    The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 provides that representations about the recommendations made by the Commission shall be made within one month of publication of the notice. Whilst this is considerably less than the twelve week minimum, recommended by the Code, the Commission's policy is to allow all representations, made between the publication of the notice and the close of a local inquiry, to be considered by the Assistant Commissioner and themselves. Therefore, in practice, the period usually extends to five or six months.
  6. Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and the reasons for decisions finally taken.

    The Commission comply with this requirement.
  7. Departments should monitor and evaluate consultations, designating a consultation co-ordinator who will ensure the lessons are disseminated.

    The Commission comply with this requirement. Consultations are analysed and evaluated by the Commission's Secretary and his two Deputies.

This page last revised: Tuesday, 1 January 2001