Question
As many Members have said, this process has been a shambles, but I welcome the “minded to” approach, and the fact that people have time to give their views. Although I want this process sorted quickly, the timetable has to be long enough for a real consultation. Bear in mind that all local government has to give proper due notice of its meetings, and of what will be on the agenda, so that the public can come and have their say. I am not at all sure that three weeks is long enough. Will the Minister please look at having a timetable that makes it practical for local authorities and local people to properly make their representations?
Answer
The way we approach “minded to” decisions is not to assume that the council will be the conduit for every view in an area. In a single area, there may be very different views from different political groups, local charity organisations and other public service providers. The deliberate intention is for councils, local residents, the business community and whoever has an interest to make representations, and our view is that three weeks ought to be enough time to do so.
Verdict: GREEN (80/100)
The question asked whether the consultation timetable would be lengthened. The reply directly addresses this: it says the Government believes three weeks should be enough, which in effect declines to extend the period, and it gives that reason. Other parts of the reply cover who may make representations, but these are context rather than the answer to the timetable question. The response is clear and committed, though the refusal to extend is implied rather than stated outright.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Government look at setting a timetable for this process that is long enough to make it practical for local authorities and local people to make proper representations. | Addressed | Direct | The reply directly addresses the timetable by stating the Government's view that three weeks ought to be enough, which implicitly declines to lengthen the period and gives a reason. Statements 1–3 concern who may make representations rather than the length of the timetable, so they add context but do not carry the answer. |