As a practising solicitor, I read the Law Society President's comments on Community Legal Advice Centres with concern (see [2006] Gazette, 1 June, 5). As the person who conducted the consultation on the proposal for a centre in Gateshead, the concern was mixed with dismay.

Gateshead Council and the Legal Services Commission (LSC) carried out a wide-ranging consultation involving:


  • All existing civil legal aid suppliers in Tyne and Wear (in excess of 130 organisations);


  • The north-east regional office of the Law Society (there was no response);


  • A range of voluntary sector organisations, including those currently engaged in existing Gateshead Community Legal Service partnership arrangements;


  • Two citizens' panels, comprising focus groups of members of the Gateshead public;


  • A public meeting to draw consultation to a close, attended by upwards of 40 interested persons, a proportion of whom were solicitors who chose to comment and challenge constructively;


  • A question-and-answer document, which was posted on the council's Web site.



    • Comments received were considered carefully and most were accommodated. The major area where representations were considered but rejected centred around existing suppliers wishing to input into the detailed specification documentation. Had this been acceded to, in excess of 130 suppliers would have had to have been offered the same opportunity, together with all potential user groups across Gateshead. Such representations would also have led to questions over the propriety of potential lobbying for the inclusion of elements likely to be favourable to particular suppliers and interest groups, rather than being based on an objective priority needs analysis using extensive statistical databases. A copy of this analysis is included in the tender pack available to all potential suppliers.


    Importantly, it is those very suppliers who will propose how and where they will deliver services, how they will involve users and how they will use data they themselves will subsequently collect to identify unmet need, rather than the council and the LSC taking an entirely prescriptive approach.


    Colin Stockwell, special adviser, chief executive's department, Gateshead Council, Gateshead