Millions spent on council PR spin
Millions of pounds of public money is being spent by local councils on self-publicity and spin, according to an independent group representing taxpayers.Millions of pounds of public money is being spent by local councils on self-publicity and spin, according to an independent group representing taxpayers. The overall amount spent on publicity in the West Midlands, which includes public relations departments and press office teams, has more than doubled over the last 10 years states the TaxPayers' Alliance in a report. As an average, it has risen by 118 per cent from £539,190 in 1996/97 to £1,175,598 in 2006/07. The report is part of a review. Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Staffordshire are amongst 73 of the country's 450 local authorities that spend more than £2 million on publicity. Read the full story in the Express & Star
Millions of pounds of public money is being spent by local councils on self-publicity and spin, according to an independent group representing taxpayers.
The overall amount spent on publicity in the West Midlands, which includes public relations departments and press office teams, has more than doubled over the last 10 years states the TaxPayers' Alliance in a report.
As an average, it has risen by 118 per cent from £539,190 in 1996/97 to £1,175,598 in 2006/07. The report is part of a review.
Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Staffordshire are amongst 73 of the country's 450 local authorities that spend more than £2 million on publicity.Big spender Birmingham City Council has the highest spend in the West Midlands, lavishing more than £10 million on public relations.
The report, by the Taxpayers' Alliance, is part of a major review it is carrying out of local authority expenditure, highlighting "spending that could and should be reviewed". It says the figures, uncovered by the Freedom of Information Act, challenges the claim town halls are short of money.
Matthew Elliott, who is chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It's important for council taxpayers to see just how their hard-earned money is being spent by town halls."
He added: "With council tax doubling in the past decade, it's extremely disappointing that councils have chosen to double their publicity budgets over the same period.ÊWith the internet cutting the cost of communication, it shouldn't be difficult for local authorities to find savings in this area and bring council tax down."
Across the Black Country, Wolverhampton spent £2,695,000 on publicity last year; Sandwell £2,199,208; Dudley £2,565,000 and Walsall £1,462,000.
Elsewhere, Cannock Chase is spending £460,000; Lichfield £282,000; South Staffordshire £110,000; Stafford £426,000; Staffordshire £2,481,000; Wyre Forest £330,880 and Bridgnorth £31,103.
Janet Priestley, for Birmingham City Council, said it was spending less per head on publicity than others.
By Sally Walmsley
