A Model of Joined-up Thinking
August 2005
A dynamic partnership of local government organisations in the county of Lancashire, UK has developed a unique approach to collaborative, integrated citizen consultation. The partnership, known as the East Lancashire Joint Consultation Project, has adopted Snap software as the platform from which to coordinate and enhance consultation processes across the group.
One of the main aims of the partnership is to improve ‘and make more efficient the ways in which citizens are consulted.’* Over the last three years, the partnership has used Snap to test-out different survey methods and evaluate the various media that can be used to deliver surveys. This work has been documented in a ‘Best Practice Toolkit’, which serves as the partnership’s knowledge centre on all consultation matters.
Online and PDA-delivered surveys have be used to excellent effect in recent joint consultation projects. One entirely web-based example was the partnership’s survey on the new Licensing Act applying to bars, restaurants and other establishments. An online survey was designed in Snap and hosted on the partnership website as well the websites of member organisations. Email invitations were sent to citizen panel members using the software and the survey was promoted in the local media. An excellent response was achieved.
The partnership has found that a flexible approach to survey research is the key to effective consultation. According to one of the project’s co-ordinators Stuart Sambrook, ‘We use different methods to suit different audiences. For some, the traditional postal survey is still the best route. For other harder to reach groups we often use the web or PDAs to directly approach respondents.’ Stuart and the partnership is keen to encourage greater use of the web as the preferred mode of survey delivery. “Web surveys are cheap, fast and save wastage on tasks like data input and postage.”
Software-centred Collaboration
In addition to providing the partnership with a powerful tool for survey consultation, Snap also provides a basis for partnership development as demonstrated by its prominence in regular partner meetings. Here the software acts as a focal point for ongoing cooperation and communication. Snap Surveys has helped facilitate some of these meetings, offering both technical and general advice on a variety of issues. Outside of meetings, partners work together on software issues sharing advice and ideas. This active collaboration has help sustain and even strengthen the partnership.
The partnership has clearly benefited from its policy of choosing a single, versatile standard in the form of Snap. Stuart is definite about why it was the right choice, “Snap is ideal because it is simple enough to learn and work with yet is extensive in its capabilities. Above all it is the whole package, there’s no need to switch from one application to another. We can do it all in Snap.”
The East Lancashire Joint Consultation project’s website is under review but the current website can be found at www.feedbackonline.org.uk
* Annual Report of the East Lancashire Joint Consultation Service 2004/0