Participating in government consultations is a crucial way for citizens and community groups to influence environmental and climate policy. Your voice matters, and decision-makers want to hear from you. Don’t feel daunted, you don’t need to understand or have in-depth knowledge of the topic or issue, you can respond just on the sections that are relevant to you.

Here are some tips to help you respond effectively:

Government consultations typically involve:

1. A published consultation document outlining proposed policies or changes

2. A set of specific questions for the public to respond to

3. A deadline for submissions

4. An online platform or email address for submitting responses

 Finding consultations

East Lothian Council publish their consultations at this link East Lothian Council - Citizen Space (eastlothianconsultations.co.uk). If you are on social media they are also publicised on X and Facebook.

The Scottish Government publish their consultations at Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

Tips for Crafting Your Response

1.    Read the consultation document carefully

Take time to understand the proposals and their potential impacts. Look for areas where you have relevant knowledge or experience to contribute.

 2.    Focus on questions relevant to you

 You don't need to answer every question. Concentrate on the areas where you have the most to say.

 3.    Be clear and concise

 Use plain language and avoid jargon. If technical terms are necessary, they should be briefly defined. Make your main points early in each response.

 4.    Provide evidence and examples

 Back up your arguments with data, research, or personal experiences where possible. This adds credibility to your response.

 5.    Consider collaboration

 If you're part of a community group, consider submitting a joint response or partner with a wider network of groups eg connect with East Lothian Climate Action Network via the Climate Hub to co-ordinate a response. This can strengthen your voice and save time. Simply repeating the same argument multiple times or getting many people to submit identical responses doesn't necessarily strengthen the case.

 6.    Be constructive

 While it's fine to criticize proposals, try to offer alternative solutions or improvements where possible.

 7.    Respect the format

 Follow any guidelines provided for structuring your response. This makes it easier for officials to process your input.

 

Responding as an Individual

 - Explain your interest in the topic (e.g., as a local resident, parent, or professional in a relevant field)

- Share personal experiences or observations related to the issues at hand

- Don't be intimidated – your perspective as a citizen is valuable

 

 Responding on Behalf of a Community Group

- Briefly introduce your group and its mission

- Explain how the proposals would affect your community

- Highlight any relevant work or initiatives your group has undertaken

- Consider surveying your members to gather a range of views

 

Additional Considerations

·       Timing is key Submit your response well before the deadline to ensure it is received and fully considered.

·       Keep it relevant Stay focused on the specific issues addressed in the consultation. Avoid straying into unrelated topics.

·       Be respectful Maintain a professional tone, even if you strongly disagree with the proposals. While it's fine to express strong views, maintaining a professional and respectful tone is important

·       Request confidentiality if needed If you prefer your response not to be published, state this clearly.

·       Follow up After the consultation closes, look out for the government's response and any resulting policy changes at We Asked, You Said, We Did - East Lothian Council - Citizen Space (eastlothianconsultations.co.uk) or We Asked, You Said, We Did - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space

What other tips do you have to help people respond? Please share them with the community in the comments.