consultees

Consultees are individuals or organizations formally invited to comment on a proposed decision, policy, or project before a final decision is made. They are part of the consultation phase, providing information, expertise, or local knowledge that can help assess impacts, feasibility, or alternatives. The aim is to ensure that decisions are informed, transparent, and responsive to stakeholders’ concerns.

In practice, a decision-maker may publish a consultation document or notice and invite responses within a specified period. Consultees may include affected residents, professional bodies, regulatory agencies, or other groups with expertise or statutory rights to be consulted. The input collected from consultees is typically considered as part of the decision-making process and may lead to revisions, further inquiries, or conditions attached to approvals. In some jurisdictions, there are formal duties to consult certain statutory consultees when issuing plans, policies, or regulations; failure to consult can create grounds for challenge or enforceable remedies.

Consultees differ from stakeholders in that consultees are specifically invited to provide input on a proposal, while stakeholders represent broader interests who may be affected. They also differ from consultants, who are external advisers hired to deliver analysis or services; consultees are typically not paid to provide input.

Examples include planning and environmental assessments, where planning authorities consult statutory bodies and the public on proposed developments; or policy reforms where government ministries seek input from professional associations and community groups.