FUTURE consultations carried out could be meaningless if the results on Poole Park are not followed, a meeting heard. 

The month-long consultation asking residents about the future of Poole Park’s Whitecliff saw 63 per cent of respondents want to keep the gates open. 

Meanwhile, those in favour of keeping it closed to traffic made up of 36 per cent of the 5,000-strong survey and just one per cent had neutral views. 

But it is looking increasingly as if BCP Council will keep the gates closed, with some suggesting the leadership had “already made its mind up”.

Conservative councillor Cameron Adams warned the council risks inflicting “reputational harm” onto itself on future consultations. 

He said: “If the recommendation is to ignore the majority of the residents, how can any of us look at any of our residents in the eye the next time a consultation comes up and tell them to fill it in? 

“We’ve got a library consultation now – what if we ignore the results of that? Regardless of the mental gymnastics there are to justify it, I don’t think it's transparent or open decision making.” 

Speaking at the environment scrutiny meeting on May 15, he added: “Poole People are not listening to the people of Poole and the Liberal Democrats are liberally ignoring democracy.”

Bournemouth Echo: Cameron Adams (centre) with fellow ward councillorsCameron Adams (centre) with fellow ward councillors (Image: Richard Crease)

Labour’s Sue Aitkenhead pointed out this isn’t the first time the council has had problems with residents accusing the authority of “not having a good consultation”. 

She said: “Both sides of the consultation are worried that the other side may be able to cheat. 

“Also, to think about the public perception, are the public coming to each consultation that we do with a preconceived idea that we have already made the decision ore that the other side are going to cheat? 

Read more: Poole Park should stay open to traffic, council consultation says

“If they already think these things, the next consultation before we even start it, then we are losing already.” 

Despite the majority of residents wanting to keep the park open according to the consultation, a report by senior officer Martin Whitechurch has recommended to cabinet to keep the park gates closed. 

Bournemouth Echo: Andy Hadley at Poole ParkAndy Hadley at Poole Park (Image: Daily Echo)

Cabinet member for the environment Andy Hadley said the consultation is not a referendum, adding: “We’re mindful of the results. The team took this really seriously. 

“It’s unprecedented against all the other consultations ever done in terms of the number of responses and we had to go outside to get some support in analysing the responses.” 

The meeting also heard several statements from residents on both sides about the pros and cons of opening or closing the park. 

Until now, it’s been expected the final decision will be made by cabinet on May 22 – however the group recommended to cabinet a decision should be made to full council, although this can be ignored by cabinet.