Claims Made That LTN Consultation Not Impartial

Company that developed digital platform used employs Labour Councillor

Cllr Peter Mason

An Ealing councillor is claiming that the borough’s consultation on Low Traffic Neighbourhood Schemes (LTNs) will lack impartiality and transparency because of the platform being used. He is demanding an investigation into a potential conflict of interest.

The Council has given the contract to Commonplace Digital Ltd to use their online digital platform to capture responses from residents to the controversial schemes being implemented across the borough.

Council officers recently wrote to councillors saying, “Commonplace, an online surveying tool, has now been purchased and is being set up to capture formal responses to the LTN schemes as part of the consultation process. This tool will allow us to better understand residents’ perceptions of LTNs on a much larger scale.”

This company employs Labour councillor Peter Mason as its Sales and Public Affairs Manager. Cllr Mason was a member of Ealing’s cabinet until 29 September when he stood down after the failed no confidence vote for Julian Bell. He formerly had responsibility for planning and housing.

On announcing his appointment earlier this year the company said, “He joins Commonplace at a key moment for the company. The digital engagement platform is undergoing rapid growth as the prop and civictech standard bearers for inclusive and purposeful consultation. Commonplace’s platform, which enables the public to interact with plans and proposals for planning, infrastructure and housing growth has been key in diffusing controversial applications across the country.”

David Millican, a Conservative councillor representing Northfield Ward Ealing, which has two LTN schemes, said, “How on earth can residents expect a fair, transparent and impartial consultation on such a hugely controversial scheme when Ealing Council purchases the online digital platform from one of its own councillors; and the Council Leader is actively promoting support for the continuation of the scheme?"

"Let’s not forget that 3,000 local residents recently marched along Northfields Ave to Ealing Town Hall opposing the schemes; and over 9,060 have signed the online petition opposing for the LTNs, whereas only 750 have signed the petition supporting the LTNs”

“I await a response to my request to Ealing Council’s Director of Legal and Democratic Services asking for an investigation into the conflict of interest and whether the tender process was conducted fairly.”

Cllr Millican also claims that the consultation process has been compromised by council leader Julian Bell’s unequivocal support for the schemes on social media where he urged his followers to sign a petition in favour of the schemes.

Ealing Council: Support the Decision to Implement Ealing's Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Zz9BBUDOAJ via @UKChange

— Julian Bell (@juliangbell) September 4, 2020

Ealing Council spokesperson said: "Like all public bodies the council has to abide by strict procurement regulations which have all been properly followed. The council was already in the process of procuring an online consultation and engagement platform for use by various services and Commonplace was one of the companies that had been shortlisted from the Crown Commercial Services G cloud framework that the Council was using to procure the digital platform.

"The terms of the grant award for LTNs from government and TfL meant that schemes had to be implemented quickly and councils are asked to consult people as part of the live trials. Unfortunately the larger procurement could not be concluded in time for the low traffic neighbourhood project. Officers therefore carried out a selection process for a smaller single platform and Commonplace was selected.

"Cllr Mason had previously correctly declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Commonplace, within his published declaration of interests. He was completely transparent about this from the point that the company entered consideration for Ealing contracts and he took no part in any council decision making in relation to the Commonplace contract decision."

Regarding Cllr Bell having tweeted his support of the pro-LTNs petition, the Councils says that Cabinet formally confirmed its support for the LTN proposals at its June meeting. The issue of members expressing opinions on matters where they may later be required to take a decision was addressed by Parliament in Section 25 of the Localism Act 2011.

Residents can visit the low traffic neighbourhoods' page of the council’s website for further information on the schemes.

Residents can email feedback to TrafficNotices@ealing.gov.uk, or post them to the Highways Service, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, W5 2HL, quoting reference ORD XXX.

An online petition against LTNs in Ealing has been signed by over 9,000 people. A counter petition in support of the new schemes has, at the time of writing, over 700 signatures.

October 11, 2020