Tips for Taking Part

Here are some tips and ideas to help you respond to an 'open' consultation using a consultation form on this website. Feel free to respond in any way you want - these are just some ideas to help you:

Be brief

Use a short sentence to explain the point you want to make and then add more detail afterwards if necessary.

Focus on what is important to you

Put the issues you care most about first, so the reader can see what your main or biggest concerns are.

Provide evidence

Your arguments will be more convincing if they are supported by evidence. If you are responding by post or email try and include copies of supporting documents, or let us know where they can be found.

Send your response as soon as possible

The earlier you send in your views, the longer we have to consider them. In any event, please make sure you respond within the consultation dates given.

Reply to the questions

If the consultation asks for your views through a series of questions, clearly state which ones you are answering before setting out your views.

Say who you are

Let us know if you are commenting as a resident, representing other citizens, acting on behalf of an organisation or something else.

Say if you want your response kept confidential

We are committed to feeding back the results of consultations to those who have taken part. For this reason, we may want to publish your views as part of this feedback. Anything published would be anonymous, but if you wouldn't want your views published in any way, then tick the 'Confidential Response' box where one is available, or state that it is confidential in your response.

Please Take Part!

Don't be afraid to take part and get your views heard. All responses and opinions will be taken seriously given proper consideration.