THE way in which BCP Council conducts and acts on consultation feedback was put under the microscope at a meeting. 

It follows controversy over recent consultations carried out including the budget, Poole Park’s gate and 20mph speed limits. 

Echo readers as well as opposition councillors have previously criticised BCP Council for “ignoring” feedback given. 

Poole Park’s recent consultation saw councillors go against the majority of feedback to keep the gates open – but cabinet members have always insisted the decision is in line with what residents who live very close by want. 

Lisa Stuchberry, senior research and consultation manager at BCP Council, admitted that three years of data suggests residents "don't feel they can influence decisions in the local area".

Andy Martin, cabinet member for communications, said consultations nowadays are “more challenging than ever” to carry out alongside social media, where some people can chip in with agendas that are not relevant to the issue. 

“Consultations are not a referendum, the results must be considered alongside other information such as a council’s ambitions and strategies,” Cllr Martin added. 

Ms Stuchberry said that since the Poole Park consultation – widely criticised for a result that went against the majority feedback – the council may need to consider “whether we do want to put any logins or collect information”. 

Poole Park’s consultation, which ultimately saw Whitecliff gates closed to vehicles, is believed to have had multiple submissions filled in by the same people. 

Scrutiny committee chairman Steve Bartlett said to Ms Stuchberry: “Do you ever get the situation where the analysis you get is disagreed by the service director and they say we can’t accept this?” 

She replied that this doesn’t happen. 

Cllr Bartlett added: “This is what people want to understand, because I do remember distinctly the consultation prior to the last budget where people were asked about their thoughts. 

“75 per cent were against cuts to library hours and of course what happened is they got cut. There are other instances too.” 

Isla Reynolds, director of communications at BCP Council, said consultations are looked into carefully to ensure they are phrased in the correct way. 

She said: “For example, the Poole Park consultation we knew was very sensitive with a lot of comments either side of the debate. 

“We worked through the report with the service to make sure the data and analysis was reflected accurately.”