Public Engagement Framework and Guiding Principles

Inform

Communicate (one-way)

Purpose: Communicate

Communication style: One-way

Promise to Residents & Stakeholders: We will keep you informed

Halton's Responsibility:

• Provide information
• Make final decision

Resident Responsibility: Learn

Consult

Listen-Learn-Dialogue (two-way)

Purpose: Listen-Learn-Dialogue

Communication style: Two-way

Promise to Residents & Stakeholders: We will keep you informed, provide you with information to provide input, listen to and acknowledge your concerns; and provide feedback on how input was used.

Halton's Responsibility:

• Provide information, ideas and proposed solutions and the opportunity for public input
• Work to incorporate feedback
• Regional Council to make final decision
• Report back

Resident Responsibility: Participate in providing feedback

Collaborate

Active Participation (two-way)

Purpose: Active Participation

Communication style: Two-way

Promise to Residents & Stakeholders: We will look to you for ideas and innovation when developing solutions and will work with you to incorporate your thoughts and recommendations to the greatest extent possible.

Halton's Responsibility:

• Provide information and the opportunity to participate in forming the proposed solutions by sharing views, ideas and setting priorities
• Work with subject matter experts and focused groups
• Consider recommendations
• Regional Council to make final decision
• Report back

Resident Responsibility: Partner in developing a solution

Open, two-way communication

Working in a cooperative way to share information and provide opportunities for open and constructive dialogue ensuring the issue and ability to inform the outcome are clearly presented.

Early involvement and timely communication

Communicating as early as possible and ensuring information is available in a timely manner to encourage participation.

Inclusion and mutual respect

Engagement is based on building trust and relationships that involve all members of the community.

Transparent and accountable

Sharing information and having open public engagement processes, final decisions and outcomes.

Clear and accessible communication

Ensuring the use of plain language and a wide variety of communication channels are used.

Fiscally sustainable

Ensuring methods and resources for public notice and engagement reflect the magnitude and complexity of the initiative.

Evaluation/feedback

Public engagement processes will be evaluated and refined as required and feedback will be provided on the outcome of the process.

Continuous improvement

Seeking better ways of engaging the community and providing efficient and effective public notice and engagement processes.