Consultation questions

We have criticisms of the entire process, from the initial consultation document, which some people did not receive to the questionnaire itself.

The consultation questions use anchoring and prisoner’s dilemma techniques to guide respondents to responses that the Council wants to hear.

The consultation questionnaire starts by repeating the unsubstantiated comment that complaints have been received by residents and Ward members.  This does not match up with what we hear from our councillors – indeed they seem to be on the fence and waiting to see what happens.

No evidence has been given to support claims about sustainable transport methods.

The questionnaire asks you to choose the response closest to your opinion and to select the relevant option or options.

Question 5, which asks whether you or your visitors experience parking problems on your road is a classic question that the Council can use to draw their own conclusions.  See what they said about the East Finchley CPZ proposal here.  The Council said that ‘it is felt that the further 29% who are experiencing issues would benefit from parking controls’.

Question 7 - If you responded “no” to being included in the new Underhill South (US) CPZ, but the neighbouring streets voted “yes”, would you then be in favour of your road being included in the new CPZ? (Please select one option only) – is a classic implementation of the prisoner’s dilemma.  The Council wants you to admit that there is a problem, where you may think there is none.

Question 8 – If the new Underhill South (US) CPZ was to be introduced, would you be satisfied with the operational hours matching neighbouring CPZs from Monday to Saturday between 8.00am to 6.30pm – will be a question whose answer the Council are unlikely to publish in full and residents are encouraged to ask for the response to this in freedom of information requests.

If you responded “no” to being satisfied with the operational hours matching the neighbouring CPZs, which operate from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6.30pm, you are asked what alternative days and times you would  prefer and can select one option only.  Be aware that this is using an anchoring technique to get you to get used to the normality of a time needing to be specified.  As the options are all likely to be longer than you might think, it may get people to say that some time is needed.  You can use the ‘Other’ response here. 

Question 12 on reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality gives the pretence that this proposal is an environmental measure.  Be mindful that bike hangers would take away parking spaces.  These may be more suitable for a destination, rather than somewhere people are mainly likely residing.

Question 14 gives you an opportunity to offer a critique of the questionnaire.  You may want to mention techniques mentioned here.  Think we've missed anything?  Let us know.