Recession support job criticised

The county council has defended the advert for the recession co-ordinator

A job advert for a "Recession Support Co-ordinator" in Gloucestershire has been criticised by local businesses and the Taxpayers' Alliance.

An advert for the 12-month fixed term contract, with a salary of £35,000, has been placed on several websites.

County council leader Barry Dare said: "This job will help us find out what problems the recession is causing and how we can fix them."

The advert asks for "degree-educated" people with a full driving licence.

The council should be trying to save money and reduce costs Mark Wallace, Taxpayers' Alliance

It states: "Recession is making most of us feel the pinch. For some of us, it means losing our job, our home and our health.

"You can make a difference by working with a wide range of service providers to identify the impacts of recession on local people and agree what action to take."

Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "This is a big bill for local taxpayers to have to bear, precisely because we're in the middle of a recession.

"The council should be trying to save money and reduce costs so they can cut council tax and help the local economy."

'Touchy-feely'

Bill Allen, managing director of County Mercedes-Benz in Cheltenham, who closed his business earlier in March, said: "I've got 22 people here who would like to apply for that job.

"It sounds like the worst touchy-feely example of councillors wanting to look like they're doing something when actually they're spending money to do nothing."

Barry Dare, of Gloucestershire County Council, defended the advert.

He said: "The idea that the county council shouldn't be playing its part in fighting the recession is barking mad.

"I need to know if we need more council care home places because people can't afford their own. I need to know if we need to pay for more free school meals."

"I need to know what businesses we can attract into Gloucestershire."