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Benefits

 * Value for money
 * More Timely Engagement
 * Developing Democratic Engagement
 * Encouraging Community Cogesion

See All Benefits

What Are The Benefits Of acknowledge?

acknowledge will enable local authorities to meet the following e-government Priority Service Outcomes:

• Transport, R15, 'public e-consultation facilities for new proposals on traffic management, including the publication of consultation survey results
• Democratic renewal, G3, 'citizen participation and response to forthcoming consultations and decisions on matters of public interest, including a facility for citizens to sign up for e-mail or SMS alerts on nominated topics'.

The Benefits For Local Authorities

Value for money

Consultation questionnaires can be produced much more quickly and cheaply by establishing a standard framework and respondent base, the overheads frequently associated with individual survey can also share consultation information across departments so that redundant and repetitive questions can be avoided.

More Timely Engagement

The whole consultation process is speeded up as questionnaires are quick & easy to put together and can be posted immediately. This enables the community to be involved early on in the process and feedback can be quickly published.

Developing Democratic Engagement

Citizens are far more likely to hold and express an opinion with regar to issues close to home such as planning applications, bus routes and local schools. acknowledge provides a set of tools to enable consultation with citizens on such issues.

Encouraging Community Cohesion

Closely targeted consultation aimed at better understanding the needs and issues for communities can assist in strengthening the sense of community across the local authority area.

The Benefits For The Citizen

acknowledge provides a set of tools to assist local authorities in empowering individuals and communities particularly about immediate local issues they care about. The focus is on local issues and personal engagement

Provides For Direct Feedback

A frequent criticism levelled at local authorities is that "you ask our opinion but never take any notice...". It is important to ensure that those consulted see a direct and timely response to their opinions. As new information is added to a citizen's area of interest they are alerted by text or e-mail.

Avoids Consultation 'Overload'

many citizens complain that either they are rarely consulted or that when they are, the questionnaire involves too many questions and that frequently two or three questionnaires arrive in a short space ot time asking similar questions. acknowledge can provide the basis for a centrally managed approach therefore avoiding both of these issues and ensures a steady process of engagement.

Offers Values For Money To Local Taxpayers

With recent high profile rises in Council Tax many local taxpayers are becoming increasingly vocal that they do not want money spent on expensive consultation exercises but on delivering the services themselves.

For the future, consultation can be delivered through the channel of choice.

Alerts will initially be by either SMS or e-mail to notify users of updates about new consultation of specific interest. This could be extended to include other channels later, such as digital TV.