It recognises that consultation is an essential in modern government to ensure policy decisions are soundly based on evidence, that they take into account views and experience of those affected by them, that innovative and creative options are considered and that new arrangements are workable. The Good Practice Guidance on Consultation derives from the Policy Unit report on Civic Participation which was published last year and is available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/government/civicp.pdf That report identified 4 broad themes which have a bearing on extending distribution and increasing involvement in consultations:Good Practice - to sharpen planning and execution of consultations; Reaching 'civic' Scotland; Reaching the wider public; Making best use of resources.