When PARSOL originally looked at statutory consultees, Parish Councils were excluded (article 13 GDPO 1995). At Kirklees are encouraging consultees to use planning applications on our web site and email in order to exchange comments, and on the whole we have been successful. However Parish Councils are proving more difficult to persuade and we have not been able to agree with any in our district that e-consultation can take place. It is possible that they will be the only consultee requiring a paper copy of the application when we upgrade our systems (completion date April 2008) to enable full integration with 1 App and the proposed e-consultation hub. Their main concern is that they do not have, and cannot afford, systems to enable on line consultations. Also their methods of working mean that it suits them to have paper copies. For example one PC splits copies of plans up between members so that they can look at different aspects of a development. They also seem to have limited access to IT, and do not seem to be inclined to increase this simply to enable improved consultation. The potential mutual benefits have been explained, but to no avail. Obviously we would like to consult with PC's on line, but I do not see any means of compulsion. If anyone has any suggestions as to how we persuade them otherwise I'd be grateful.
