Kirklees Council pays people £25 to find out what they think of Kirklees

Nov 24 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

But Kirklees Cabinet member for communities Clr Peter O’Neill said the spending was needed after Government surveys showed towns in Kirklees were becoming more polarised.

He said: “In Dewsbury and Mirfield there has been a 12% drop in perceptions that people of different backgrounds get along well, from 58% in 2006 to 46% in 2008.

“Good value for money is always a key concern but we will continue to invest in key priorities, and nothing is more important than getting community cohesion right.”

And the Batley West Labour man said the Conservatives had used vouchers when they ran the council from 2006 until January of this year.

He said: “The Tories began the incentives payments when they were in control and we have continued them as they are common practice in consultations.

“To collect the most useful data from the local community, we need to invite and hear opinions from a wide cross-section of people.

“They then receive a thank-you for giving up several hours of their time, but this is standard best practice in both the public and private sector.

“We are talking about a few hundred pounds in shopping vouchers for vital work that helps us to discover more about issues around community cohesion.”