Lambeth Council says that it is consulting over its plans for it to become a "John Lewis style partnership".
But it appears that its consultation is not quite the public exercise – in fact the public will have little say.
The South London Press reports that the commission set up to look into establishing a council where services are run by the residents is…run by the council.
"The commission is made up of Lambeth’s leader Steve Reed [Lambeth] and cabinet members Jackie Meldrum and Paul McGlone."
The commission defended itself saying it was going to consult widely. How wide? Well, not that wide…
The SLP quotes Cllr Jim Dixon, cabinet member for health and well-being, saying:
“It is a misunderstanding to think residents won’t be involved. The commission will hear the views of 240 residents and experts between now and October. It will involve people in Lambeth. They will come and tell us how we can make this a reality.”
So that's 240 minus the many experts and consultants. Call that a round 200 out of 272,000 people – about 0.0007 of the population (I think).
But of course it is not just in Lambeth where the people are to be consulted. The government announced yesterday their big consultation with the people about what will be cut. The danger is that the numbers consulted will be very few and the targets selected beforehand.
There is no debate about the alternative to cuts such as getting the money back of the banks and City by nationalising and taxing them. Afterall, they all seemed to be returned to profitability and receiving their huge bonuses while the rest of us face the sack or paycuts.
Consultations are being used as a way of rubber-stamping policies not coming up with a new ideas.
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