New motion takes aim at Flintshire Council’s consultation process
Flintshire Liberal Democrats are set to table a motion calling for greater transparency in the Council’s public consultation process.
The motion, to be debated at the next full Council meeting on 3 December, would require every consultation document, survey and web page to begin with a disclaimer making clear that public opinion may not determine the final outcome.
The proposed statement reads: “The Council is asking for your views, but you should be aware that it may disregard the outcome, even if an overwhelming majority of respondents take a particular view. This consultation is not a referendum. Past consultations have shown that strong public opposition or support for a proposal does not prevent the Council from proceeding with its own preferred option.”
Cllr Andrew Parkhurst, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Flintshire, said the move followed what he described as a pattern of the Council seeking residents’ opinions but ignoring them when inconvenient.
He cited the recent consultation on Catholic school reorganisation, where more than 95 per cent of respondents opposed the proposals, yet the Cabinet decided to proceed.
“Residents are tired of being asked for their views only to discover they make no difference,” said Cllr Parkhurst. “If the Council is going to carry on doing what it wants, the least it can do is be honest about it. This motion simply asks the Council to tell people the truth before wasting their time.”
He added that consultations should build public trust rather than weaken it.
“A short disclaimer like this would remind residents that the process isn’t a vote. It would also make the Council think twice to avoid the perception that it has already made up its mind.”
If approved, the motion would require the Chief Officer for Governance to include the disclaimer in the Council’s consultation style guide and to report back within six months if non-compliance is found.
Cllr David Coggins Cogan, who proposed the motion, said: “It’s extraordinary that something so basic, telling people the truth about how little weight their views might carry, could be considered controversial. But if the Labour and Independent coalition Cabinet votes this down, the public will draw its own conclusions.”
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