'I found this very confusing'

8:00am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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RESIDENTS across Northwich have been left baffled by a public consultation about the future of Kingsmead.

The lengthy document, which comes complete with a glossy information poster, gives residents four options for the future of the estate and even asks them to draw parish boundaries on a map.

They could have made it easier by just asking ‘do you want Kingsmead to form a parish, yes or no?’

Kingsmead resident and Northwich’s deputy mayor Helen Burder

Currently the majority of Kingsmead falls under the authority of Davenham Parish Council with part under Northwich Town Council.

Options include making it all part of Davenham or of Northwich, creating a separate parish or leaving it as it is.

Kingsmead resident and Northwich’s deputy mayor Helen Burder said: “It’s extremely complicated with a lot of council spiel.

“They could have made it easier by just asking ‘do you want Kingsmead to form a parish, yes or no?’ “I found it very confusing and as a councillor it should have been as simple as pie.

“It doesn’t give you all the information and benefits as to why one option is better than another, it’s just not clear.”

The questionnaire has been sent to more than 12,200 homes.

Clr John Curran, chairman of Davenham Parish Council, said: “It’s not a bad document but the map is a bit vague for a lot of people to understand and there’s a lot of complicated issues.

“It’s a big document and I just hope it doesn’t end up in the bin – the more people that get involved the more the right decision will be arrived at.”

A spokesman for Vale Royal Borough Council said the cost of the consultation was minimal as documents were produced in house, but would not reveal the figure.

He said: “We understand that the formal process can be confusing.

“Before this leaflet and questionnaire were issued to residents we piloted a number of ways of progressing the consultation and this was found to be the most effective.

“The council wants residents in Davenham and Northwich to engage over this review and has provided clear methods of contact for anyone who wishes to find out more.”

For more information ring Vale Royal Borough Council’s corporate policy unit on 01606 867504.