THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
19th October 2022
Issue 752
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‘Orwellian’ concern over public consultation South Gloucestershire Council has been blasted over the
Cllr Boulton said the report highlighted
handling and outcome of a public consultation into the
that overall the results were “balanced”
creation of new town and parish councils.
but only 39% of those who responded
Speaking at last Wednesday’s council meeting, Labour
actually thought a new parish for Staple
councillor Ian Boulton said the Conservative-controlled
Hill & Mangotsfield would be of
authority had not listened to the views of local people.
benefit: “So I find the word ‘balanced’
Regarding a new parish council for Staple Hill & Mangotsfield
virtually Orwellian in its double speak
274 people responded (2.5% of the population) with 39%
and I hope no council officer has had
backing the idea and 49% preferring no change.
their hands dirtied in the production of
Kingswood’s population of close to 22,000 residents were
this
consulted about whether they wanted a town council and 320
contributions made by members of the
responded of whom half were against and 42% in favour.
public, has perversely led the regulatory
report
which,
despite
the
Cllr Boulton, who represents
committee to reach the conclusion that
the
&
residents would accept the imposition of
Mangotsfield ward on South
a parish council when clearly they do
Gloucestershire
not.”
said
Staple
that
Hill
Council,
during
Regent Street in Kingswood
the
Concerns from objectors included being
consultation process he and
able to afford an extra precept on their
Local Councils’ Association), should not put forward the
other Labour members had
council tax bill during a cost of living crisis.
benefits, adding: “The only thing which I can assume is that
worked hard to facilitate an
Cllr Rachael Hunt, Cabinet Member for Communities & Local
the Labour group wanted to have the conversation to be one-
informed
and
balanced
Place, said she was “shocked by Cllr Boulton’s frankly
sided.”
debate
within
their
disgusting use of the word propaganda”, saying the council did
He pointed out the benefits of parish councils, citing
communities “without any
a full three-month consultation.
investment by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council in
bias or favour”.
Cllr Ben Burton, the Cabinet member responsible for
floral displays which are envied by surrounding areas.
He continued: “That cannot be said for the administration who
resources, said: “He (Cllr Boulton) is obviously forgetting the
Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid said that all six Kingswood
commissioned a taxpayer-funded communications campaign
leader of the Labour group Cllr Rooney writing to the legal and
members had stayed deliberately unbiased “as we were very
clearly biased in favour of parishing the unparished areas of
democratic department of South Gloucestershire Council
conscious that we wanted this to be the voice of Kingswood
South Gloucestershire. Despite the questionable propaganda
trying to silence a resident speaking in favour of forming a
residents”. She said the people of Kingswood had said no and
coming from this administration in favour of parishing, you
parish council.” Cllr Burton said he did not understand why
added: “My job is to back that.”
have failed to gain the support of the people it directly affects.”
that Kingswood resident, who is also an officer of ALCA (Avon
Lib Dem councillor for Yate Mike Drew, who is vice chair of
Ian Boulton
Continued on page 2
Also in this week’s issue
Keynsham school set to double in size . . . page 3
Pub gears up for Christmas help . . . page 4
Warmley’s devoted signalman retires . . . page 5
More competition success for Longwell Green gym . . . page 10