Consultation Policy
Background:
One of the main tasks of the Waterford County Development Board is to draw up a Strategy for the Economic, Social and Cultural Development of the County. The Board has committed itself to working within the following key principles:
- Participation and Equality
- Consensus
- Focus on Social Inclusion
- Feedback and Consultation
- Openness and Commitment to change
- Mutual Respect
- Team Based Working
- Involvement of Local Communities
- Move from Issues to Outcomes / Results in development of Strategy
To deliver on those principles consultation must be an integral part of the whole process of Strategy Preparation.
"If you want to know how the shoe fits, ask the person who is wearing it, not the person who made it"
Consultation is a process of dialogue between the County Development Board and the wider community. It will assist the Board in developing an effective Strategy for the County and ensure that the outcomes in the Strategy reflect the wishes of the wider community.
2. Purpose:
To ensure participation by the relevant groups/bodies and representative individuals in County Waterford in developing the Economic, Social and Cultural Strategy for County Waterford and specifically to ensure that the process of Strategy Preparation and Implementation promote Social Inclusion. To ensure input, understanding, acceptance and support for the Economic, Social and Cultural Development Strategy for County Waterford.
3. Key Aspects of Consultation:
Apart from the Key Principles listed above the Consultation will focus on outcomes and results, that is, improvements in the Economic, Social and Cultural wellbeing of the County. Some examples of desirable outcomes might be:
- Full employment in the County
- Access to Childcare for Children and Parents when required
- Vibrant Cultural life throughout the County.
Consultation will be accessible to all groups and individuals – the process will provide for the fullest possible participation.
The Consultation will be properly facilitated.
Consultation will be on-going as the Strategy is developed.
4. Objective:
To consult effectively with the relevant groups and individuals right through the Strategy Development Process.
5. Consultation Schedule
To develop a Strategy four questions must be answered:
- Where are we?
- Where do we want to be?
- How should we get there?
- How will we know we are getting there?
In Answering Each Question
There Will Be Consultation With The Wider Community.
Phase I
Where are we?
Working Groups and Task/Sub Groups of the Board will prepare Research Papers on the current Social, Economic and Cultural situation of the County.These will include:
- Industry and Services
- Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry
- Infrastructure
- Tourism
- Family Wellbeing
- Community Wellbeing
- Education
- Health
- Youth and the Elderly
- Sport Recreation and Amenities
- The Arts generally
- Irish Language, Traditional Irish Culture, Built and Natural Heritage
The Research Paper will form the basis of consultation with the wider community. Time-Scale: January and February 2001.
Phase II
Where do we want to be?
This involves the development of Vision, Goals and Objectives for the County. Initial consultation has taken place regarding the issues which people feel are important and which the Strategy needs to address. The emphasis must be on what outcomes and results the people of County Waterford want over a five and ten year period. The Consultation at this stage will focus on the improvements which the community wants in the longer term i.e. improvements in Quality of Life.Improvements in the life chances for children / Improvements in the physical environment etc. The Working Groups or Task Groups will prepare Draft Papers for use in the Consultations.Time-Scale: March to June 2001
Phase III
How should we get there?
This phase will set out the means of achieving the Vision, Goals and Objectives for County Waterford. It will involve deciding on options for development, choosing programmes and actions to deliver the results we want. It will involve examining alternative ways of getting to the goals and achieving the objectives and deciding on the best ways and means for County Waterford.Time-Scale: March to June 2001Consultation for Phase II and III will be carried out in tandem.
Phase IV
How will we know we’re getting there?
This phase involves checking on how effective the Strategy is, how effectively it is being implemented. Is a change of direction needed? Are Programmes and Policies delivering the desired results on time etc.It will involve setting targets, key result areas and measurable improvements.Ways of monitoring the success of the Strategy and evaluating individual Policies and Programmes must be included.There must also be a two-way feed of information between the Board and the wider community.Consultation on this part of the Strategy will take place in November 2001
6. What consultation has already taken place
A series of meetings has been held with Community Groups outlining the overall County Development Board and Strategy process. These meetings led to the establishment of a Community Forum in each Electoral Area and facilitated the nomination of Community Representatives to the County Development Board, the Strategic Policy Committees and the Area Committees of the County Council as expanded for Community Development purposes.
- A meeting was held in each Electoral Area to consider the issues in each area and the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for the area.
- The Waterford Leader Partnership has carried out a consultation process in preparing its submissions for the new Leader Programmes and the new Local Development Programmes.
The Waterford Leader Partnership carried out extensive consultation with Disability Groups as part of the process.
7. Priorities for Consultation
In implementing the Consultation Policy the Board and its Working Groups/Task Groups will promote social inclusion.The priorities for consultation will be decided by the Working Groups and Task Groups subject to the overall direction of the County Development Board.
8. Implementation
- A common format/methodology will be developed and used as the basic format for all types of consultation.
- A short briefing document will be prepared on how the Public and Groups can contribute to the development of the Strategy for County Waterford.
- Written and Oral Submissions will be invited by a focused Public Advertisement Campaign through Press and Radio.
- Where available relevant local county-wide data will be shared in support of the Consultation Process.
- Consultation will be professionally facilitated at the Community Forum meetings in the Electoral Areas.
- Consultation will take place with targeted sub-areas i.e. Housing Estate, Village/Town Land depending on circumstances.
- Facilitated Consultation will take place with Communities of interest i.e. Farming Groups, Lone Parents, Travellers, Business People, Fishermen etc. as decided by the Working Groups.
- Board members and major Stakeholders and Service Providers will be involved and consulted through the Board, Working Group meetings and Task Group meetings.
- The County Council, Urban District Council and Town Commissioners will be consulted on an on-going basis.
9. Resources:
The Consultative Process will be facilitated as appropriate by:
- County Development Board Members
- The Director of Community & Enterprise
- The Community and Enterprise Development Officers
- The assistance of State and Local Agency Staffs
- Professional Facilitators
- Involvement in Working Groups of various types.
10. Consultation Schedule:
Oct 00
- Update on Process for Community Fora
- Prioritisation of issues
- Start of Community contribution to Vision, Goals and Objectives
Jan/Feb 01 - Focussed consultation on Research Papers & Analysis
Mar/Apr 01 - Community Contribution to Vision, Goals, Objectives and Policy/Strategy options
May/June 01
- Draft Papers on Vision, Goals, Objectives and Policy/Strategy options considered by Community
- Draft Papers on Thematic and Area elements of Strategy considered by Community
Oct/Nov 01 - Draft overall Strategy discussed with Community
Feb 02 - Community Participates in Launch of Strategy
