COUNCIL officials expect to publish the results of the recent consultation on Helensburgh’s Waterfront “shortly”.
A Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service on the results of the online survey was denied by Argyll and Bute Council on the grounds that the consultation is not yet complete.
Residents and community groups were given the opportunity to express their views on what should go in the area in front of the town’s leisure centre during a six-week period which ended on Monday, August 10.
The Freedom of Information request, made the same day after the consultation closed at midday, asked for the full text of each submission, its date, and whether it was made by a resident, community group or other body. No personal information was requested.
It was declined, but a council official added that it was intended for the results to be published as part of committee papers.
In the response received, the official said: “The consultation closed on August 10, and the responses received are currently being collated, reviewed and analysed by the council.
“The consultation process has therefore not yet concluded and the information requested forms part of an ongoing exercise to compile and assess the consultation responses prior to publication as part of the council’s formal decision-making and engagement process.
“The council considers that disclosure of the consultation responses before this process has been completed would be likely to undermine the orderly completion of the consultation analysis and publication process.”
The response added: “The council recognises a public interest in transparency regarding public consultations, particularly where they relate to significant developments affecting local communities. There is also a public interest in enabling public scrutiny of the responses received.
“However, the council considers that, at present, the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
“There is a strong public interest in allowing public authorities to complete the process of collating, validating, reviewing and analysing consultation responses before releasing the information.
“Premature disclosure could create confusion regarding the status and completeness of the consultation results and would be contrary to the orderly and effective administration of the consultation process.
“In order to advise and assist you , the council intends to publish the consultation responses and associated analysis on its website once the collation and review process has been completed and as part of the publication of committee papers.
“As publication is expected shortly, the public interest is best served by allowing that process to conclude before disclosure takes place.
“For these reasons, the council has concluded that the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosure at this time. I hope this information is helpful.”
