Stakeholder Engagement Services Helping to deliver better policies, plans and projects
Stakeholder Engagement Services We are committed to delivering tailored, inclusive and accessible communication, consultation and engagement approaches that deliver the best solutions for our clients, communities and stakeholders.
WHO WE ARE URS’ specialist stakeholder engagement team provides stakeholder and community engagement, public consultation, and communications support to a wide variety of clients working in the fields of infrastructure provision, urban regeneration, economic development and environmental sustainability. The team delivers a whole project service, from early engagement to inform policy and plan development through formal and informal pre-application consultation to stakeholder liaison and management during construction, operation and decommissioning of development projects. OUR APPROACH Our approaches are designed to meet regulatory requirements, latest guidance and emerging best practice. Strategies are tailored to take into consideration the local context and stakeholders’ requirements to deliver effective campaigns. We have sophisticated and proven communications, consultation and engagement skills which we use to develop and implement strategies which are innovative, inclusive, engaging, and most of all, focused on meeting clients’ objectives.
We work closely with clients to determine how best to communicate, consult or engage their stakeholders which, in turn, helps create strong, supported and deliverable policies, plans and projects. OUR SERVICES •• stakeholder analysis and mapping •• design and implementation of stakeholder and community communications, consultation and engagement strategies, and plans (including those targeted specifically to engage harder-to-reach communities) •• social, economic, health and equalities impact assessment of plans, policies and proposals •• creation of publicity and communications materials such as newsletters, information leaflets, briefing notes, websites, social media content and press copy •• development and facilitation of events, stakeholder workshops, forums and community liaison groups •• development of feedback options and questionnaires •• capture, analysis and reporting to responses of formal consultation exercises •• ongoing stakeholder interface community relations and objections management
OUR EXPERIENCE The team has recently worked on a wide variety of commissions for transport, energy, waste, urban regeneration, environmental projects and local plan. High Speed 2, HS2 Ltd and Department for Transport In conjunction with Arup, managed the review of over 20,000 stakeholder comments on the consultation on the draft Environmental Statement for Phase One of the HS2 route. This involved the development of a consultation report to support the hybrid Bill submission. Thames Tideway Tunnel, Thames Water Development and implementation of a stakeholder engagement strategy and formal Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) for this major infrastructure project running through the heart of London. Bank Station Capacity Upgrade, Transport for London (TfL) Full-time secondment to TfL providing objection management and on-going stakeholder liaison. Creation of an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement to support the submission of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application. Fieldes Lock Power Station, Veolia Environmental Services Development and implementation of a pre-application consultation strategy to support the submission of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application for this proposed power station. Seabank 3 Power Station, SSE Management of all aspects of the DCO application process for this proposed gas-fired power station. This has included a comprehensive programme of stakeholder engagement activities to fulfil the requirements of Sections 42, 47 and 48 of the 2008 Planning Act. Blackwall Reach Regeneration Project, Homes and Community Agency Design and implementation of a community engagement strategy to support this high-profile regeneration project in East London. We engaged residents, local voluntary organisations, the local school and a mosque group. Local Plan Consultation, Guildford Borough Council Delivery of a consultation aimed at reaching as many residents, students and employees across the borough including vulnerable and seldom heard communities. The consultation combined over 30 events including targeted workshops, pop-up events and public exhibitions.
WHEN TO INFORM, ENGAGE, CONSULT OR COLLABORATE? •• I nforming involves providing stakeholders with balanced and objective information to assist them in understanding proposed policies, plans or projects, anticipated benefits and potential issues and any alternatives considered. •• Engaging goes beyond the provision of information to establish effective ongoing relationships with stakeholders in the early stages of the development of policies, plans and projects. •• Consulting is the formal process of obtaining feedback from those likely to be affected by or have an interest in a proposed policy, plan or project. It is a commitment to listen to and acknowledge concerns, keep them informed of progress, and provide feedback on how their input influenced the final proposals. •• Collaborating involves joint decision making between those proposing a policy, plan or project and the stakeholders by working in partnership that empowers all parties to develop mutually agreed solutions.
GOOD ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES ARE BASED ON A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF FIVE KEY QUESTIONS 1. Why is this policy, plan and project required? Defining the ‘need’ argument. 2. Is this a consultation or is it more about the provision of information? 3. Who needs to be informed, consulted or engaged? Identification of stakeholders, key influencers and mapping of the consultation. 4. What methods will most effectively inform, consult or engage the identified stakeholders including those seldom heard from? 5. When should we inform, engage or consult? If consulting how will feedback received inform the development of proposals?
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Tom Parrish Associate Direct: +44 (0)7825 745648 tom.parrish@urs.com Sarah Hill Senior Consultant Direct: +44 (0)7760 163540 sarah.hill@urs.com
URS Corporation is a leading provider of engineering, construction and technical services for public agencies and private sector companies worldwide. We offer a full range of programme management; planning, design and engineering; systems engineering and technical assistance; information technology; construction and construction management; operations and maintenance; and decommissioning and closure services for federal, oil and gas, infrastructure, power and industrial projects.
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