Waltham Forest Council will update how it listens to the public over planning applications today.

The authority’s statement of community involvement (SCI), last updated in 2014, is due to be updated during a cabinet meeting.

The move comes against the backdrop of many complaints made by people living in the borough this year about “flawed” consultations carried out by the authority on issues from parking permit introduction to planning applications and future developments.

People reported being able to send multiple responses to the council’s online questionnaires from made up email addresses, with no proof of residency within the borough required to complete the forms.

At the time, a council spokesman said: “To allow people using shared computers, such as in our libraries or those living in the same property, to respond we have not blocked multiple responses from devices or email addresses.

“Any attempts to skew the results of a consultation are usually quite obvious to detect and are factored into our analysis and acknowledged in our consultation report.”

By law, the council is required to produce a SCI and set out how it plans to continually engage with members of the public when making planning decisions.

It is also legally obliged to provide guidance and advice on upcoming planning applications to the public.

The documents for today’s cabinet meeting said: “It is a key objective of the planning system to strengthen community and stakeholder involvement in the planning and development process.”

The new statement says the council intends to make better use of electronic communications, but letters and emails will still be sent out to those immediately affected by proposed developments.

The document also promised the council will not carry out primary survey work, commission technical studies or offer direct financial support to upcoming developments.

Methods the authority will use to consult the public on planning applications listed include roadshows, exhibitions, questionnaires and workshops and a committment has been made to use the most effective, efficient and representative methods for consultation.

The council will also start to make better use of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter when engaging with the public, but focus groups, one on one sessions and residents’ panels will be held for harder to reach sections of the community.

Developers are also encouraged by the council to contact neighbours and those nearby to proposed developments before planning applications are submitted.