Commentary on Sections Part 3: Promoting Access to Local Government Chapter 2: Public participation in decision-making by principal councils Section 41 - Public participation strategy: consultation and review
227.This section places a duty on principal councils to consult local people (defined in section 171 as people who live, work or study in the council’s area) and anyone else it thinks appropriate when preparing its public participation strategy. The first strategy must be published as soon as reasonably practicable after section 40 comes into force.
228.The council can review its public participation strategy at any point, but it must do so as soon as reasonably practicable after an ordinary election of councillors. Again, when reviewing the strategy, the council must consult local people and anyone else it thinks appropriate.
229.Following a review, a council can revise or replace its public participation strategy but must first consult local people and anyone else it thinks appropriate. If it revises or replaces a public participation strategy, it must publish the revised or new version as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so.