Powys' promotion spend criticised

Powys Council wants to promote itself better

A local authority has been criticised by two of its councillors for spending £50,000 of taxpayers money to fund a study on how it can promote itself.

Powys Councillors have agreed to back the proposal to spend the money to finance consultants to identify the importance of the council's work to the local economy.

But board member, Councillor Barry Thomas claims the authority is wasting valuable resources that, he claims, would be better spent on public services.

But a council spokesman claims Powys Council is inadequately recognised at local or national levels and needs to increase its profile in the run up to what is expected to be a tough budget settlement next year.

We shouldn't spend so much money on a study when we are reviewing the future of the county's primary schools Michael Williams, councillor

"I am amazed that councillors agreed to support the spending of £50,000 of tax payers money on a consultation exercise when we already now all about it through the council's Best Value Review," said Mr Thomas, who is the member of the council's board responsible for highways, property and works.

And he is also unhappy that only 25 of Powys' 73 councillors took part in discussions before voting 13-12 to back the move.

Backlog

"To me common sense didn't prevail and with a £160m backlog of work to do on the county highways this is money we can ill afford to spend on a consultation."

Machynlleth councillor Michael Williams also voted against the proposal.

"We shouldn't spend so much money on a study when we are reviewing the future of the county's primary schools," he said.

"The local authority also has one of the lowest spends on children's services in Wales as well as one of the lowest spends on the book fund for library services."

Cllr Thomas claims the £50,000 consultation lacks common sense

A report by the council's director of economic and community regeneration, Graham Davey said the council was concerned that the significance, relevance and value of its work had been undersold.

He added that it would also encourage nominations and electoral turn-out for the council elections next summer.

A council spokesman said: "The council employs more than 7,000 people and has a huge economic impact on the local economy.

"Although the consultation is partly to market Powys Council we can also use the information from the consultation to inform future lobbying and campaigns."