ARGYLL and Bute Council received only nine responses to a consultation on temporary traffic regulation orders in the area.
The authority carried out the survey on charges for traffic restrictions for community events across the area.
But a councillor voiced concern that only two out of fifty-four community councils responded to the consultation, with an official admitting he had no explanation for the numbers.
However, Councillor Peter Wallace’s (Conservative, Isle of Bute) bid to get the council to consult further on the matter failed, with only himself and one other councillor backing an amendment.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee on Thursday, December 18.
Councillor Wallace said: “I am quite concerned at the poor response to the consultation, including only two out of 54 community councils.
“Given a lot of these community events are a huge economic benefit to communities and contribute to bringing people to the area, if the burden is too heavy then these events do not happen and everybody loses. How was the consultation undertaken?”
Hugh O’Neill, the council’s network and standards manager, responded: “We went through it as usual. We contacted all local community councils and followed our own advice from the communications team.
“There was nothing rushed through, and at the September meeting of this committee, it was discussed in quite a bit of detail.
“I was very disappointed myself in having nine submissions, and I cannot answer any particular reason why it was dealt with like that. I do not think there is much else we could have done.”
Councillor Wallace then said: “When you say the usual fashion, is that one email to the community councils? How does that work? Is there any follow-up?”
Mr O’Neill said: “It was well known what we were doing. I cannot honestly offer an opinion as to why we got such a poor return, but we went through the usual communications.”
Councillor Wallace said: “I am not really content that we are in a position to move forward with the recommendations. I would like to see this moved forward to the next meeting of this committee (in March).
“This is to allow extra consultation for a better response and to flesh out the advertising alternatives.”
Councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon) responded: “We have already extended this. We have gone out to every community council.
“It has had a disappointing response but it does not change the fact that we have gone out to them. I would be against any sort of extension when we have done our best to get a response.”
Councillor Wallace then moved an amendment that the council should approve the recommendations within the report, subject to further consultation and a review.
But only Councillor Andrew Vennard (Conservative, Oban North and Lorn) backed the amendment, with 10 councillors voting to agree the recommendations.
The full council will now be recommended to accept an option, with lower prices for earlier notice to the authority, at its meeting in February.
