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Public Participation Strategies

Public Participation Strategies. Mark Kerr Director, PPS 11 September 2007. PPS – What we do. “The UK’s leading independent provider of communications & consultation advice to the property & development industry.”. PPS – About us. Set up in 1990 – in the top 25 UK agencies

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Public Participation Strategies

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  1. PublicParticipation Strategies MarkKerr Director, PPS 11 September 2007

  2. PPS – What we do “The UK’s leading independent provider of communications & consultation advice to the property & development industry.”

  3. PPS – About us • Set up in 1990 – in the top 25 UK agencies • 16th Best Small Company To Work For (The Times, March 2007) • Regional network with 50 staff • PPS London, South East & East of England • PPS South West & Wales • PPS Midlands • PPS North • PPS Scotland

  4. PPS – Our experience In 2006, PPS worked for 167 clients on projects in 194 local authorities

  5. Definitions • Participate- verb take part- origin Latin participare ‘share in’ • Consult- verb 1 seek information or advice from. 2 seek permission or approval from. 3 (consulting) engaged in the business of giving advice to others in the same field. - Origin Latin consultare, from consulere ‘take counsel’

  6. Be aware of… • The rules are changing – the public and stakeholders expect better quality consultation from applicants • Is it genuine consultation? Or is it better described as public engagement or simply information? • Define the constraints and opportunities • Manage expectations and be up-front with the public about what the engagement programme can deliver

  7. Be aware of… • Preconceptions • Bad news makes good copy • Opponents have none of your responsibilities • Opponents will have easier access to decision-makers

  8. Be aware of… • Opponents won’t stick to planning issues – the emotion card • Your shortcomings elsewhere • Are there ever any votes in development? • Not invented here: you’ll need to respond to suggestions. Some could be good • Timing: electoral issue?

  9. Planning a consultation • Size doesn’t matter; same principles apply • Set clear parameters • Dovetail with key planning policies • Agree programme and key stakeholders with LPA

  10. Planning a consultation • Use a mix of consultation techniques • Ensure transparent and publicly-documented process • Create opportunities for ongoing community involvement • Make sure it’s realistic, deliverable and measurable

  11. The PPS seven point plan Notify Inform Consult Measure Report back Respond Publish

  12. Notifyand inform • Explain the consultation strategy to the LPA • Newsletters and brochures • Media relations • Press and advertising • Website, SMS and e-mail • Briefings with communities / stakeholders groups • Site visits • Exhibitions • Public meetings?

  13. Consultation information

  14. Consult • Stakeholder workshops and focus groups • Web, SMS and e-mail technology • Community information line • Public exhibitions • Site visits • Questionnaires • Community forums • Stakeholder database – hard-to-reach & Disability Discrimination Act • Public meeting?

  15. Consultation & Involvement

  16. Measure • Quantitative measurement – Questionnaires, web/e-mail based questionnaires • Qualitative measurement – Feedback from workshops & meetings, panel surveys run through the website, general website enquiries, etc.

  17. Report & respond • Tell people about the feedback you have had • Change what you can • You don’t have to make changes because you have been asked to • If you won’t or can’t make a change then you need to explain why

  18. Publish • Consultation Statement submitted with the planning application • Write to all those who got involved: issue a new newsletter, website, changes, media

  19. Challenges • Developer must be prepared to listen and change • Difficult to explain complex concepts • Can’t use planning speak • Distrust of developers, with limited local knowledge & empathy • NIMBYism; objectors always participate • Reaching the silent majority • Consultation fatigue

  20. Opportunities • Should build on earlier community involvement during policy formulation • Must be belief that constructive engagement leads to better planning outcomes • Potential to enhance “the brand” and provide early marketing

  21. To Summarise • Effective community involvement is about • Explaining • Listening • Reflecting • Accommodating • Developers want greater certainty and consistency and fewer surprises • You can make participation easier but….horses and water • Often, highly-contentious developments prove popular

  22. To Conclude • Start early – plan engagement from the outset • Build a case • Maintain & reinforce • Promote directly to key audiences • Engage & inform, take on board what stakeholders say, and be seen to do so

  23. Thankyou for listening

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