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ANNEX F: THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CONSULTATION
PROCESS
Consultation is an essential and important aspect of
Scottish Executive working methods. Given the wide-ranging
areas of work of the Scottish Executive, there are many
varied types of consultation. However, in general, Scottish
Executive consultation exercises aim to provide
opportunities for all those who wish to express their
opinions on a proposed area of work to do so in ways which
will inform and enhance that work.
The Scottish Executive encourages consultation that is
thorough, effective and appropriate to the issue under
consideration and the nature of the target audience.
Consultation exercises take account of a wide range of
factors, and no two exercises are likely to be the
same.
Typically Scottish Executive consultations involve a
written paper inviting answers to specific questions or
more general views about the material presented. Written
papers are distributed to organisations and individuals
with an interest in the issue, and they are also placed on
the Scottish Executive website enabling a wider audience to
access the paper and submit their responses electronically.
Consultation exercises may also involve seeking views in a
number of different ways, such as through public meetings,
focus groups or questionnaire exercises. Copies of all the
written responses received to a consultation exercise
(except those where the individual or organisation
requested confidentiality) are placed in the Scottish
Executive library at Saughton House, Edinburgh (K Spur,
Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD,
telephone 0131 244 4565).
All Scottish Executive consultation papers and related
publications (
e.g., analysis of response reports) can be
accessed at the Scottish Executive consultation website (
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations
).
The views and suggestions detailed in consultation
responses are analysed and used as part of the
decision-making process, along with a range of other
available information and evidence. Depending on the nature
of the consultation exercise the responses received
may:
- Indicate the need for policy development or
review
- Inform the development of a particular policy
- Help decisions to be made between alternative
policy proposals
- Be used to finalise legislation before it is
implemented.
Final decisions on the issues under consideration will
also take account of a range of other factors, including
other available information and research evidence.
While details of particular circumstances
described in a response to a consultation exercise may
usefully inform the policy process, consultation
exercises cannot address individual concerns and
comments, which should be directed to the relevant
public body.
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