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Guidance

Guidance on Codes of Practice

• Contents
• About the guidance
• Introduction
• Process
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C

Guidance on preparing Codes of Practice for minimising noise in England

• Contents
• About this guidance
• Introduction
• Process
• Appendix A: List of approved Codes of Practice
• Appendix B: What is sustainable development?
• Appendix C: The consultation criteria

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Appendix C: The consultation criteria

To be reproduced in consultation documents:

The criteria in this code apply to all UK national public consultations on the basis of a document in electronic or printed form. They will often be relevant to other sorts of consultation.

Though they have no legal force, and cannot prevail over statutory or other mandatory external requirements (e.g. under European Community law), they should otherwise generally be regarded as binding on UK departments and their agencies, unless Ministers conclude that exceptional circumstances require a departure.

The criteria should be reproduced in consultation documents, with an explanation of any departure, and confirmation that they have otherwise been followed.

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.
2. It should be clear who is being consulted, about what questions, in what timescale and for what purpose.
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.
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.
5. Sufficient time should be allowed for considered responses from all groups with an interest. Twelve weeks should be the standard minimum period for a consultation.
6. Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available, with an account of the views expressed, and reasons for decisions finally taken.
7. Departments should monitor and evaluate consultations, designating a consultation co-ordinator who will ensure the lessons are disseminated

Page last modified: 19 May 2005
Page published 2 September 2002

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