Engaging with community stakeholders not only benefits communities; it can also improve the decision-making, legitimacy and effectiveness of the consultation. 

To identify community stakeholders, first look at groups or organisations who can affect (and are affected by) our activities within the scheme. These include:

• Community groups
• Religious organisations
• Environmental organisations
• Citizen associations
• Rambler associations
• Local business groups. 

Send information on the scheme and meeting suggestions to community stakeholders early on, before the public consultation. 

Offer additional briefing to key stakeholders such as MPs and councillors when a consultation is announced. This could be through bilateral meetings in advance of the consultation, or by holding a preview briefing event the day before the consultation launches.