THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION PROCESS
13. Consultation is an essential and important aspect of Scottish Government working methods. Given the wide-ranging areas of work of the Scottish Government, there are many varied types of consultation. However, in general, Scottish Government 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.
14. The Scottish Government 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.
15. Typically Scottish Government 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 Government web site enabling a wider audience to access the paper and submit their responses (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations). 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 (where the individual or organisation has given us permission to publish their response) are placed in the Scottish Government Library at Saughton House, Edinburgh (K Spur, Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, telephone 0131 244 4556).
16. 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; and/or
- 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.
17. 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.
18. All Scottish Government consultation papers and related publications (eg analysis of response reports) can be accessed at: Scottish Government consultations ( http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations).
19. The Scottish Government now has an email alert system for consultations (SEconsult at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/seConsult). This system allows stakeholder individuals and organisations to register and receive a weekly e-mail containing details of all new SG consultations (including web links). SEconsult complements, but in no way replaces, SG distribution lists, and is designed to allow stakeholders to keep up to date with all SG consultations activity, and therefore be alerted at the earliest opportunity to those of most interest. We would encourage you to register.