Yorkshire Rabbit spends £23K on Questionnaire to discover .....

THE lid has finally been lifted on what the people of York really thought of the city’s controversial council headquarters project. Until now the comments have been under wraps.

After a seven-month battle by The Press though, City of York Council has now revealed the full results of its consultation, carried out after the collapse of the original proposal for a purpose-built HQ at Hungate and the subsequent decision to focus on transforming an existing building.

Many criticised the questionnaire, which cost about £23,000, and were unhappy that it requested views on the development without asking people to vote for their preferred site from the options of West Offices, in Station Rise, and insurance giant Avivas Yorkshire House.

Comments included:

•“Don’t waste taxpayers’ money by producing such documents (the questionnaire) when our opinions seem to have little or no influence.”

•“This is a total waste of my money. I and the rest of York have elected you to represent us, so please use that to make decisions – that is your duty.”
•“It seems a little bizarre that you are asking questions yet are not wanting to know which option residents prefer.”

Under the Freedom of Information Act, The Press asked the council for all responses to the open-ended question asking for general comments on the project.

Originally published at http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/5060091.City_of_York_Council_HQ_consultation____waste_of_money___/