As most will be aware the Energy Consents and Deployment Unit at Scottish Government have been working on a project to deliver a publication portal (phase one) followed by the ability to engage online for the electronic submission of consent applications and public representations (phase two).
We are pleased to communicate that phase one has concluded with the live publication portal now having 107 cases and 2,673 documents available for public viewing and downloading. This volume of material is increasing each week as case officers gradually migrate existing cases, and add new cases, with associated documents to the new portal. Additionally the ability to download a summary as spreadsheet or word document of all cases is also available. Our intention throughout phase one was to create a facility which would help improve transparency.
To further this progress we now want to build on phase one achievements and provide an online facility whereby applicants can submit an application online and those wishing to then make a representation can also do so against the submitted case online. A key supporting element in our work during phase one was the presence of a User Group which was useful in receiving feedback during the preview sessions to ensure that the publication portal performed well and adequately met a need. During phase two we would like to continue with a user group but instead of one general user group we would like to have a specialised user group specifically for online representations which will help the project validate some of the ideas that are in development and ensure that the final product meets the useable needs of those making representation.
To this end we would like to extend an invitation to yourself, on behalf of your organisation, to be part of the Online Representations User Group. Additionally we would also like to confirm the following from yourself:
1. That you agree with the Terms of Reference as attached for the Online Representations User Group
2. That you are willing to be active participant in the Online Representations User Group from early stage feedback at moment to testing of product later in the project
3. That you provide feedback now on the sketches (known as “wireframes”) of the type of data requested during representation submission online and explanation of how both Individual and Group representations could be made online using the new portal
Benefits of online representation submission:
· Secure access to submit 24 hours / 7 days a week (Anytime/Anywhere)
· Receipt on successful submission
· Sent directly to Energy Consents at no financial cost
· Environmentally friendly (No paper necessary)
· More accurate data to enable the DPEA to invite the public to Public Local Inquiries
We would appreciate your response to the above, confirming agreement to participate and providing us with your feedback on the expected type of data requested in the wireframes and also feedback on the explanation as to how these would work by Friday 7 August 2015. We would however also be grateful for you to confirm participation ahead of your feedback if this is possible as this will allow us to commence arrangement for later presentation.
Thereafter we will review the requirements and update the developers on needs. We would expect to then organise a presentation to outline the expected development and timelines for the delivery of live online system during 2016.
In the event that you have any queries with the above relating to invitation and purpose of exercise please do not hesitate to make contact with the Project Team at the email address ECDUonline@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Your attention, continued interest and assistance is very much appreciated. The project team look forward to your response to this invitation.
Thank you
ECDU Project Team
To view our current casework please visit www.energyconsents.scot
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