IEG National Parks Target: G3

Description: Citizen participation and response to forthcoming consultations and decisions on matters of public interest (e-consultation), including facility for citizens to sign up for email and/ or SMS alerts on nominated topics.

Northumberland National Park Authority offers the service to consult and inform individuals in ways which are convenient to them for matters of public interest; this will include SMS text services and email wherever applicable.

During February 2005 four households within the National Park were contacted by SMS text to inform them about the community consultation events happening in their region for the review of the Building Design Guide.  Questionnaires were completed by residents, providing the option to be consulted by email, text, post or telephone for future planning consultation events.

This expanding form of communication will be used this year as part of our events registration when participants will be asked if they would like further correspondence on events through this medium.

This service is limited to those with access to the facility of either email or text and to those who disclose and agree to be contacted via their SMS text number.