From my usual spot on the head of a man nobody can name, I watched the City Chambers announce a twelve-week consultation on Tuesday. The question: would the people of Glasgow like to be consulted more often?
The survey runs to forty-one pages. Question three asks whether respondents found question two too long. I have read it twice, which is twice more than the official in charge, who I overheard asking a colleague what a consultation actually is.
A city of opinions
Glasgow has never been short of opinions. It has been short of places to put them. Previous consultations have been posted on lamp posts, buried on websites, and in one memorable case laminated and left in a bin.
“We are listening. We just need you to fill in the form explaining what you'd like us to listen to.”
Residents can respond online, by post, or by shouting at the statue of whoever it is in the middle of the square. I will be taking notes.
What happens next
Once the responses are in, the council will publish a summary, followed by a consultation on the summary. The final decision is expected some time before the heat death of the universe, subject to budget.