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ECGD's PUBLIC CONSULTATION GUIDELINES Why does ECGD wish to consult?
- ECGD is always looking to improve its standards of corporate governance and believe that it is important that the UK taxpayer and other major stakeholders in ECGD should have the opportunity to comment on key issues/policies, as they arise, in order to inform our decision-making.
- One of the main conclusions of the recent Review of ECGD's Mission and Status (available on ECGD's website) was that ECGD should undertake more consultation with customers and other parties who have an interest in what ECGD does. In addition, one of the objectives in the Business Principles which ECGD adopted in January 2001 was that we should consult, listen to and respond to relevant stakeholders on major issues and, in aiming to do this, engage with all stakeholders to discuss ECGD's policies, products and practice.
ECGD's commitment to consult
ECGD will:
- in relation to issues and policies likely to lead to a fundamental change in the way in which ECGD operates, conduct consultations with stakeholders by means of a formal Consultation Document in accordance with the arrangements described below;
- in cases involving a major change to ECGD's existing policies and practices or where only particular groups of stakeholders are likely to have an interest, conduct consultations less formally but still in accordance with the arrangements described below;
- make use of and maintain the existing dialogue it has established with its stakeholders - in business, civil society and other areas - to obtain advice on minor issues;
- explain clearly the purpose of a consultation; and
- review the effectiveness of our previous public consultations and keep these guidelines under constant review.
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Who will ECGD consult?
ECGD will: - consult relevant stakeholders and other interested parties depending on the issue but normally including ECGD's regular customers; and
- list the names of all those being consulted directly in any Consultation Document (or elsewhere) and invite those groups or individuals approached directly to suggest other parties who should also be consulted.
When will ECGD consult? ECGD will: - consult prior to major decisions being taken and give sufficient time for comments to be submitted and considered by ECGD;
- explain the timetable for the consultation exercise and the decision - making process which will follow;
- for consultation on major issues and policies, permit a minimum of 12 weeks for the consultation process; and
- provide a clear deadline for the receipt of responses.
How will ECGD consult?
ECGD will:
- give suitable publicity to all public consultation e.g. through announcements in Parliament, the issue of press releases or the placement of appropriate notifications and any Consultation Documents and related correspondence on ECGD's website;
- draw the consultation to the attention of all interested groups and individuals and make direct approaches to relevant stakeholders;
- normally consult in writing but, where appropriate, meet groups and representative bodies in plenary sessions or individually and/or invite responses in other forms;
- for written consultations, ensure that responses can be made electronically;
- ensure that Consultation Documents are as simple and concise as possible and include summaries of the main issues on which views are sought.
- use plain English and avoid jargon;
- provide suitable background information in relation to the objects of consultation and clarity in respect of the main issues on which views are sought;
- explain the possible impacts in relation to any identified options;
- explain which issues, if any, are "not subject to consultation";
- where appropriate, indicate ECGD's preferred option (and explain why);
- wherever possible, ask questions;
- give the names of ECGD contact points (including, where appropriate, relevant experts from whom those being consulted can seek further information or answers to queries);
- acknowledge all responses received; and
- appoint a consultation co-ordinator to monitor and evaluate consultations, (including their impact on business).
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Post-consultation action
ECGD will: - Analyse all responses carefully and open-mindedly, and, in relation to consultations on major issues and policies, make available the results of the consultation exercise, together with an account of the views expressed and the main reasons for decisions finally taken (including explaining why any significant alternative options have not been adopted);
- Respect respondents' confidentiality, where requested; and
- If felt to be appropriate, publish (unless the respondent has requested that the response should be kept confidential) or summarise all responses received.
ECGD
January 2002
[1]In this context "stakeholders"means parties with a legitimate interest in ECGD's operations. This page was last updated on 25 July 2006
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