Council in top ten per cent with budget of over £3 million
The TaxPayers’ Alliance published their 'Council Spending Uncovered' report today (Friday 12th December) ranking Ealing Council amongst the top 10% of spenders on publicity in the country.
Despite Icelandic Bank losses amounting to around £2million, the council spent £3,063,000 on publicity in 2007/08.
Councils are required by the Local Government Act 1986 to “keep a separate account of their expenditure on publicity”. Publicity is defined by the Act as “any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public at large or to a section of the public”.
Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance said, "It is incredibly disappointing that, despite the economic downturn and the loss of millions in Icelandic Banks, local authorities are still spending nearly half a billion pounds a year on publicity. Whilst we salute the 217 councils who have cut spending on publicity, the 225 councils who have increased spending should hang their heads in shame. In the middle of a recession, councils need to cut back on propaganda and spin doctors and deliver savings to taxpayers."
December 12, 2008