I do not think that "lugar de encuentro" is negative, therefore using clash would not be accurate. This is simply where civil society and government meet.

Loosely:

Si bien estos Consejos Consultivos se han convertido en un foro privilegiado para el debate en torno a las políticas públicas, el *lugar de encuentro* entre sociedad civil y gobierno, han presentado algunos problemas que han limitado su función

Although these councils have become a forum for debating public policies, a place where civil society and government meet, there have been some problems, which have restricted their role.