Consultation absolute legal minimum

WARRINGTON Borough Council has admitted that a consultation exercise to which no-one responded was carried out to the “absolute legal minimum” required.
But it did this on the advice of the Government and to save money, says council leader Ian Marks (pictured).
On Monday, Warrington-Worldwide reported that a six week public consultation on the future shape of the borough council attracted not a single comment from the public.
As a result, a number of readers responded on this website with comments critical of the council.
The consultation, originally ordered by the former Labour Government, was into what system of governance would be used in Warrington in future and two options were offered.
1. The council would have a leader and cabinet, as at present, but with the leader appointed for a four-year period rather than annual as at present.
2. The council would have a directly elected mayor and cabinet with the mayor elected for four years.
As there were no comments from the public, the council decided on November 1 to go for the first option and next month will be asked to formally confirm this.
Coun Marks said: “The council was bound by law to consult on just two options for leadership of the council.
“The process was unbelievably bureaucratic and costly for virtually no change to procedure. It was typical New Labour process-driven red tape. Even if a leader is elected for four years, the council has the ability to remove him or her in a shorter period if necessary.
“Fortunately just before the consultation was due to start, we received a letter from the Coalition Government advising us to do the absolute legal minimum consultation.
“This is what we did, to save money and officer time. It is hardly surprising that people did not respond on a topic which is of little interest to most people. We would much rather residents responded to important consultations like the budget.”