Statutory duties

There are a number of statutory duties which the county and districts needs to fulfil. These range from duties to consult on the budget with businesses; to carrying out Statements of Community Involvement in planning; and consulting with stakeholders, parents and young people under The Childcare Act (2006).

Government agendas

Big Society The Coalition Government has unveiled plans to "put more power and opportunity into people's hands" through what they are terming 'Building the Big Society'. Plans include reforming the planning system to give neighbourhoods more ability to shape their own places; giving communities the right to bid to take over local state-run services and training community organisers. For more information see the  Big Society (opens in a new window) page on the Cabinet Office website.

Duty to Involve (April 2009: Section 138 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act  2007) requires councils to 'embed a culture of engagement and empowerment' and to ensure consultation with -and involvement of- representatives of local persons across all authority functions.

Duty to Promote Democracy The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 was implemented in November 2009 and includes a duty on local authorities to respond to petitions. Part of this duty is to establish mechanisms online by which members of the public can e-petition. This is being used by many councils as a way to consult in itself.

Communities in control Councils have a duty to inform, consult and involve the people they serve in order to meet the needs and expectations of the citizens who use their services. 

Further information can be found on the  Best Value and Duty to Involve (opens in a new window)  page of the Communities and Local Government website.

Community empowerment is the process by which local people can get involved and work with local government.  The three ingredients of community empowerment are:

• Active citizens
• Strengthened communities
• Partnership with public bodies

Further information can be found on the Community Empowerment (opens in a new window)  page of the Communities and Local Government website.

'Councillor Call for Action' The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 sets out how councils (as well as the Health Service) should think about involving local people in the decisions they face.  It sets out a number of ways in which councils can do this. One way that local residents can become involved is through a 'Councillor Call for Action'.  This is where local people can put forward to their councillor a local issue they feel should be addressed by the council. 

Further information can be found on the Councillor Call for Action (opens in a new window)  page of the Communities and Local Government website.

Scrutiny in consultation

and Involvement between the public sector and the voluntary and community sector (Dorset Compact Group).

Dorset Equality Partnership are also drafting a 'Consultation and Participation 'How to Manual' (July 2010).

Many local authorities will have their own policies on or standards for consultation.

Dorset County Council has research standards in Children's Services and Adult and Community Services.

Christchurch Borough Council have a  Public Consultation Strategy (PDF, 44kb) (opens in a new window) adopted in 1999 and a Consultation Charter (PDF, 25kb) (opens in a new window) .

East Dorset District Council has a Customer Focus Strategy (PDF, 111kb) (opens in a new window)  which demonstrates their commitment to consultation.

West Dorset Council have a Consultation Policy (PDF, 338kb) (opens in a new window) .