Labour Consultation Flopline
February 15, 2008 12:00 AM
Councillors Must Consult All-Year-Round
A hotline set up by Manchester Council to consult with people on how its budget should be spent received only one call, and has been labelled a huge flop by Manchester Lib Dem Finance Spokesperson Councillor Marc Ramsbottom.
The City Council has spent £1,300 urging Council Tax payers to take part by calling the hotline, or to use email or send a letter. But out of a population of over 400,000 the hotline rang only once and the Council received just six letters and 21 e-mails. Four of the responses were from Town Hall staff!
Many residents have complained they knew nothing about the so-called consultation exercise.
Cllr Marc Ramsbottom, who represents the City Centre, said it was a flop because the Council needed to be consulting all year round with people about how it spends its money.
"People didn't bother phoning the hotline because they don't think that the Labour-run Town Hall is listening", said Cllr Ramsbottom.
"It is sadly all too typical about the way this Council claims to consult with people. Not enough effort went into engaging with residents. People are concerned about how their Council Tax is spent, but they just don't think that this Council will take their views seriously. That needs to change and the Council needs to engage with resident all-year-round, not just for a few weeks before the budget is set".
End
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