Southwark Making a ‘Mockery’ of Local Engagement with Tickets on Sale for Event Two Weeks Before Consultation Ends
Southwark Liberal Democrat councilors have expressed concerns that the council is not adequately engaging with residents in formal consultations.
The consultation on the event application for Rally Festival and Bermondsey Carnival closes at midnight Friday 14th April.
However, tickets have been on sale for the Rally Festival event since 5th April, with pre-sale tickets being offered 31st March.
Writing in response to the application, Southwark Lib Dem local economy spokesperson Cllr Rachel Bentley said that this shows that the council views consultation as “merely a formality”.
The event application is for Rally Festival to take place in Southwark Park on 5th August, with Bermondsey Carnival using the same facilities the following day.
The plans will allow Bermondsey Carnival to take place after being cancelled last year.
Commenting Councillor Rachel Bentley said:
“Obviously we are thrilled that Bermondsey Carnival will be back on this year. However, Southwark has once again made a mockery of the consultation process. The council is supposed use consultations to engage with residents and listen to their concerns but it is abundantly clear that they are merely a formality that precedes a foregone conclusion.
If residents were uniformly against this proposal, would Southwark have ordered Rally Festival to refund all sold tickets? Highly unlikely. Residents deserve better that this blatant disregard for meaningful community engagement.”