Dorset’s super council consultation is “biased”, say two former Borough of Poole policy directors.
Alan Hughes, 80, and John White, 72, both worked for the council in the 1990s as it was being transformed into its current unitary structure.
They believe a consultation carried out at that time allowed Poole residents to make an informed choice about the proposal, revealing widespread support for Poole maintaining its identity and independence.
They deny this is the case with the current consultation on restructuring the county’s local authorities, which concludes tomorrow (TUESDAY).
“What upsets me most is that during the unitary status bid there was a lot of public consultation,” said Mr White, who lives in Broadstone.
“Every household got information and an opportunity to comment.
“That isn’t the case this time. People are finding out in bits and pieces what is proposed, or not at all.”
Mr Hughes, of Parkstone, said: “The other crucial thing is what people are finding out, they are seeing a questionnaire biased towards reaching a decision which has already been made.
“Option one, no change, isn’t even an option. They want to ensure people’s views support their decision.”
The pair believe Dorset residents should be given more information about the future cost of local services so they can decide if they would rather go with the potential savings of a combined unitary authority, or pay more council tax and maintain the status quo.
Mr White said there was a “very strong feeling” of community among Poole residents, which had been revealed during the consultation for the unitary bid.
Of the current consultation he said: “It asks ‘would you like to not pay so much’. Everybody will say aye to that.
“It doesn’t cover such things as pride in your town, service provision or where offices are going to be based.”
He added: “We would have liked to see an option saying ‘if we stay by ourselves the impact on the budget will be such and such, and will have this effect on council tax, are you in for that or not’.
“It is disappointing residents aren’t being given that choice.”
Local authority bosses behind the super council consultation have previously denied that it is biased in any particular direction.
Andrew Flockhart, Chief Executive, Borough of Poole, said: “The consultation clearly asks people’s opinions and makes it clear the cost implications of each of the four options presented. We also welcome any additional ideas or proposals from residents and all comments will be taken into account when the consultation results are analysed.
“However, Central Government regulation sets out that local authorities are only allowed to raise council tax by a maximum of 3.99% annually so we cannot put forward any proposals that would see an increase above this amount.”
Bournemouth council chief executive Tony Williams told the Daily Echo the document was written to be “as neutral and impartial as possible”.
He said: “People might think there is some nuance there, but there isn’t.”
Article originally published by Daily Echo
