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| Communication
Strategy The consultation process for the Suffolk Estuarine Strategies allows stakeholders to partake in the decision making process, provides an opportunity for comment at various stages of strategy development and provides a means of exchanging information relating to the strategy area. Stakeholders are identified during the preparation of a Communication Plan and consultation is undertaken with all interested parties including statutory consultees, organisations with interests in nature conservation, wildfowling, farming, fishing, sailing, tourism and recreation, local authorities and individual stakeholders/landowners, in addition to members of the public. Communication Plan A Communication Plan is required to provide an efficient, effective and co-ordinated structure for the exchange of information between all stakeholders. Efficient communication is key to successful and timely completion of the key stages and essential to share information and agree a preferred strategy. The SES Communication Plan has established an inclusive framework for consultation. The plan clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the project team, and has identified key consultees with a likely interest in the scheme. The plan has also established a consultation programme to provide a detailed list of future consultation rounds. Methods of Communication Different forms of consultation are appropriate for different stakeholder groups. Consultation for the SES uses several different types of communication methods including the SES website, consultation documents and comment forms, quarterly newsletters, face-to-face meetings, public exhibitions and local exhibits in libraries, yacht clubs and community venues. In addition, an single overarching consultation group for the Blyth, Alde and Ore and Deben estuaries has been set up to provide guidance on the requirements of UK law, local government policy, planning issues and initiatives in the region and provide comment on project objectives for the strategy. The group is made up of representatives of the District and County Councils, English Heritage, English Nature, the National Farmers Union, Royal Yachting Association and the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Management Unit. Local Consultation Groups, made of representatives of the local community, have also been set up for each of the estuaries. The Local Consultation Groups provide guidance and information on and about local issues and provide comment on local objectives to be considered in the development of the strategy. Membership of the Local Consultation Groups consists of key stakeholders which include: Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Unit, the Environment Agency, The National Trust and English Nature, local town and parish council representatives, local user groups and associations, sailing, business and farming interests and many other groups such as wildfowlers, fishermen, the RSPB, Suffolk Preservation Society etc. and individual residents. |
