Mayor calls out overly complex budget consultation heavily reliant on online participation
01/02/2026
Councillor Tiller wants West Northamptonshire Council to consider if the process is a meaningful and inclusive public engagement
The Mayor of Brackley has raised concerns over West Northamptonshire Council’s budget consultation process, describing it as overly complex and heavily reliant on an online survey.
Councillor Bernie Tiller feels that navigating multiple sections and lengthy budget documents makes it difficult to understand, time consuming and disadvantages those who aren’t online.
He also criticises the lack of clear promotion for alternative response methods, such as paper copies, phone, or email submissions, which disproportionately affects older residents, those with disabilities, limited internet access, or no public transport to libraries.
Councillor Tiller has written to senior West Northamptonshire Councillors warning that the current process risks excluding many residents and producing consultation feedback that does not reflect the wider community. He noted that due to the complexity of completing the survey several people he had spoken with had given up.
Councillor Tiller wrote: “Although the Council does offer limited alternatives to completing the survey independently online such as accessing it via council managed libraries or requesting the consultation in another format by phone, email, or post these options are not clearly or prominently advertised. Most residents would not be aware that paper copies or alternative formats are available unless they actively search for this information or already know to ask.
“As a result, many residents are effectively excluded. This includes people who do not use social media, who have limited internet access, who rely on basic mobile phones, who have disabilities, or who lack confidence with digital systems. Requiring residents to travel to a library or proactively request a different format still places a significant burden on those least able to engage. Particularly in Brackley as there is no public transport to the library.”
He concludes: “I believe the Council should reflect on whether this process truly enables meaningful and inclusive public engagement. I would strongly encourage clearer promotion of all available response methods, simpler explanations of the budget proposals, and more proactive non digital engagement so that all residents have an equal opportunity to make their voices heard.”
The council’s budget consultation concludes this Tuesday at midnight.
Banbury FM has contacted West Northamptonshire Council offering them the chance to comment on this story.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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