Duty to involve

We will inform, consult and involve our residents and stakeholders to make sure they have a voice in delivery, scrutiny and improvement of service delivery.

These consultations and their results will be open and inclusive and will conform to our publicised protocols and service standards.

About duty to involve

From 1 April 2009 we will have a statutory duty to inform, consult and involve local people in the design and delivery of services and functions that may affect them or be of interest to them.

This is known as the “duty to involve” - part of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and the government’s broader community empowerment and place shaping agenda.

 The Duty to Involve requires local authorities to be:

• Informing about the exercise or particular service or function - e.g. providing information about services, policies and decisions including providing information that allows people to have their say and get involved.

• Consulting about the exercise of the particular service or function - e.g. provide people with opportunities to have their say about decisions through consultation and to provide opportunities for people to be involved.

 and / or

• Involving in another way about the exercise of the service or function - e.g. provide opportunities for people to have their say and get involved beyond being informed and consulted and give greater influence over decisions on delivery including providing opportunities for people to influence or participate in decision making and allowing people to work with the authority in accessing services.