WC to scrutinise its own consultation process

If you wish to hear the sounds of derisive laughter, talk to any Wiltshire resident who has responded to a Wiltshire Council consultation.

The process goes like this:

WC. We're intend to do this thing, but first we have to consult you. Do you think this is a good thing to do?

The People of Wiltshire: NO!

WC. Following consultation, we've decided to do this thing. Thanks to everyone who took part in the consultation and helped to inform our decision-making.

Examples include the Green Bin consultation. 94% of respondents opposed charging for garden waste collection so the Conservatives introduced charging for garden waste collection. "We consulted the people before taking action." More recent examples include the closure of outdoor education centres and the special needs schools in Trowbridge and Chippenham, and the loss of Everleigh recycling centre, where similar levels of objection were ignored.

At least some of the derision must have been noticed by the administration, so they've set up a scrutiny task group to see how they can pull the wool over people's eyes without them noticing.

The process will go like this:

Wiltshire Council Administration: Task group, what can we do to stop people laughing at our consultations?

Task Group: You could take more notice of what people tell you for a start.

WCA: Following consideration by a special scrutiny task group, we intend to carry on just as before. Thankyou for your constructive and valuable input.